Columbia Pacific Communities Articles

A growing number of senior citizen housing complexes are discovering that libraries and reading groups can transform the lives of their residents. There have been various research studies showing that reading can sharpen the minds of seniors. A study on Americans aged between 25 and 74 found that brain-challenging activities like reading and writing can improve one’s analytical and reasoning power. Also, a Yale study found that reading for 3 ½ hours each week can extend one’s life by almost 2 years. Reading improves emotional health as well – it helps seniors relax and feel a sense of calm. Reading also encourages seniors to think creatively and offers a platform for discussion – something that seniors look forward to. Library and reading room at our senior citizen housing complexes Whether you love classic literature or the latest fiction, libraries at our senior citizen housing complexes are the perfect place to relax and enjoy some quality me-time. There are many opportunities in our housing complexes for book lovers to connect instantly with like-minded people over discussions on subjects ranging from ancient history, modern poetry and politics to contemporary writing. We also encourage shared reading in groups as it encourages social interaction, improves overall well-being of the residents and builds stronger connections. Planning to move to a senior citizen housing complex?. Visit the facility personally – and if you are a book lover, check their library. Take a look at their books and the ambience.

Mrs Sujatha Reddy, a 60-year-old, lost her husband 6 months ago. Her children, settled abroad, tried to convince her to move in with them but Mrs Reddy didn’t want to leave Coimbatore. Not only was she feeling increasingly lonely but also finding it difficult to manage the house with the housemaid taking leaves every now and then. Worried about their mother, her children came to India and tried to help her. They thought moving to a retirement community rather than living alone in a large house full of memories would make this tough time easier for their mother. They discussed this with her and made an appointment with one of the senior living retirement homes in Coimbatore. After their visit and meeting few of the residents, Mrs Reddy was convinced of moving into a retirement home. Now she has made friends and participates in different social events. Her kids too have peace of mind knowing that she is in a very safe environment with someone available 24 hours a day, should an emergency arise. Just like Mrs.Reddy, to fight loneliness, many seniors are moving into retirement homes in India that are designed to offer the elderly a sense of community, independence and security. Leading retirement communities in India like ours have a real community feeling where seniors interact with fellow residents, make new friendships and have necessary support to participate in different activities. Let’s take a brief look at how senior living retirement homes like ours are helping residents fight loneliness: Keeping seniors physically active: Many retirement communities in India have made exercises as a part of the daily routine. A day at senior living retirement homes in Columbia Pacific Communities starts with physical activities done under the guidance of the trained physiotherapist. Yoga classes and meditation exercises are conducted to rejuvenate the mind. Organising community events: For many retirement homes in india like ours, activities form a core part of the care plan for the residents. Gardening, dancing, singing and board games are some of the activities that are enjoyed by the residents and give them a sense of camaraderie. Movie screenings, bhajans, birthday celebrations, and various festivals are celebrated at our senior living retirement homes. Recently, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we organised a virtual contest that saw huge participation from the residents. People participated in handicraft, painting, instrumental, group vocal and dance. The event was streamed live. Helping seniors stay in touch with friends and family: An active social life can have many physical and mental benefits. It can be difficult to be socially active when you are practising social distancing. We encourage our residents to get in touch with their family and friends through social media and video chats. Those who need assistance doing this are provided with all the help. We focus on helping our residents lead an active lifestyle from the outset. We organise wellness activities and events which match individual and group interests. We do not believe in the stereotypical retirement life. To know more about how our communities promote positive ageing, visit here.

For many seniors, the opportunity to lead an active social life often reduces after retirement. With family members having their own schedule, the feeling of social isolation can increase. At such a point in time, connecting with people who share similar interests is very important. There are many independent senior living apartments in India that offer residents ample opportunities to find others with similar interests and before long, they make new friendships and regular get-togethers are enjoyed. If you are planning to move to an independent senior citizen apartment, here’s a useful read for you on the benefits of social engagement and how new-age senior living solutions are promoting it- Improved mental health: Loneliness can be a real problem for senior adults. Socialising with people of your age can help gain a positive outlook. Just like people of any age, older adults too connect with those who are passionate about similar things. Be it a dance class or an art class, taking classes can be a great way to learn something new and meet people who share similar interests. At our retirement homes that have independent senior living apartments, we organise activities like fitness classes, friendly sports tournaments and drawing contests to help residents make friends. Sense of belonging: Creating lasting bonds with others help seniors feel like they are cared for and they belong somewhere. Those who are socially engaged are less likely to experience anxiety and depression. At our retirement homes, though seniors have their independent apartments, there are daily community activities for social engagement. All the festivals are celebrated with fervour. Movie screenings, yoga classes, tambola, food festivals and classical music programmes are some of the events that are regularly organised to encourage residents to interact with each other. A sense of purpose: Being socially engaged improves the quality of life. It gives life a meaning and makes it vibrant. Meeting family and friends and at the same time making new friends, gives seniors a sense of purpose. At our retirement homes, we encourage residents to get involved in different recreational activities. This keeps residents busy as well as happy. From workshops to music concerts, there are various activities that residents can take part in. There is a spacious dining hall where residents can dine together and get to know each other better. With the ongoing pandemic, our wellness team has been providing assistance to residents to connect with their family and friends over video calls. Better self-esteem: When people engage socially, they feel they are needed, they are loved and cared for. Enjoying the company of others while doing things that you love to do can be immensely good for your self-esteem.

When you are searching for a retirement home, you may find yourself looking for a place which is not only convenient but also offers companionship. Finding the right retirement home doesn’t have to be an uphill task. Here is a useful checklist that will help you find the best place to spend your golden years in comfort! Personal needs: When it comes to choosing a retirement home, you should give your personal needs preference over other factors. Have a clear idea of the kind of accommodation you want. At Columbia Pacific Communities, we offer independent villas and apartments that are served by professionals. The luxury retirement home facilities help you lead an independent and active lifestyle. Location: A centrally-located retirement home will make it easy for your family members to visit frequently. Also, it will be more convenient for you to go on shopping trips or to your favourite restaurants. All Columbia Pacific Communities are conveniently located. Also, we have ever-ready concierge services – which means you can hire vehicles for your impromptu trips with no hassle. Retirement home facilities: Before choosing any retirement home community, it is best to look out for all the amenities that you will have at your disposal. The quality of services will decide what your golden years look like in the long run. At our retirement homes, we offer high-end amenities and services to support your independent lifestyle. Residents are provided with laundry service, nutritious meals, housekeeping and maintenance services. Emergency care with 24/7 ambulance services is available on the premises. Gym, library, battery-operated vehicles for intra-community mobility, concierge service, banquet service and facilities for indoor and outdoor games are also available. Recreational activities: Retiring from an active working life does not mean retiring from an active life. Which is why it’s important to check out the retirement home’s social calendar. An active social calendar helps residents find other people with similar interests and encourages regular get togethers. To help residents make friends and find people who share the same interests, at Columbia Pacific Communities, several recreational activities are organised throughout the year. All the festivals are celebrated and several cultural activities are conducted.

With empathy-centered services that contribute to greater independence and foster a sense of community, senior citizen homes in Columbia Pacific Communities encourage residents to live the retirement life they have always dreamt of. Check out our senior citizen homes in India here. We are committed to helping our residents pursue enriching and fulfilling lives surrounded by respect, dignity, happiness and an exceptional standard of care. Let’s take a sneak peek into how we leverage the power of empathy to stay true to our commitment- Age-friendly communities: Empathy has played a crucial role in the design and development of Columbia Pacific Communities. At our retirement homes in India, attention to the smallest detail has been paid to ensure that our residents live in a safe and comfortable environment. With senior-friendly features like non-slip vitrified tiles and handrails in bathrooms and common areas like swimming pools and jogging tracks – our senior citizen homes provide a setting where residents feel comfortable and safe. The rooms are designed to allow wheelchair access. There is a panic button in each independent apartment. Our premium retirement home in Bangalore is compliant with the NBC (National Building Code) standards for accessible housing as well as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act 1990) guidelines for structure and facilities. Maintenance-free lifestyle: We understand that household chores like mopping, cooking and property maintenance can stop seniors from enjoying their golden years of retirement. Moving into our senior citizen homes, can help them enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle. They don’t have to worry about home repairs – be it a leaky faucet or a broken switch, our 24X7 maintenance team will take care of it. Cleaning of apartments is done daily, and residents can also ask for customised housekeeping help for specific tasks. From housekeeping to the care and support team, all our team members are trained to the highest standard. Your suggestions in dining options: We make sure that the food served in our dining halls is not just nutritious but also delicious. Our food and beverage team and dieticians work with the residents to ensure that their nutritional needs are met. We change our menus regularly so that our residents enjoy tasty and balanced meals created with their preferences in mind.

Retirement is an exciting phase of life that many look forward to. As you age, you may plan to move into a senior citizen living community. With children and grandchildren busy with their own schedule, spending time in open spaces among people your own age and doing things you love the most are some of the perks of staying in senior living communities. While there are so many choices, it’s important to do your homework and choose one that is among the best rated senior living communities in India. Here is a checklist that will help you select the senior living community that meets your needs: The right level of health care: When it comes to selecting a senior living community, perhaps the most important factor is the kind of health care that is provided. Many best rated senior living communities like ours provide screening, assessment, and consultation from visiting doctors. There is a dedicated 24×7 ambulance service on the premises. There is round-the-clock care from qualified nurses. Medical records are maintained and kept in-house to help with your diet and wellness plans. For us, your health is top priority which is why we have partnered with the nearest hospitals for all your health needs. 24×7 security: The very idea of buying a retirement cottage in the mountains sounds good but not practical. With age, the need for security increases. Look for secure senior living communities. The best rated senior living communities encourage keeping security as unobtrusive as possible to offer a home-like atmosphere and yet maintaining a secure environment for the residents. At our senior living communities, we use cutting-edge technology to keep safety, security and privacy of our residents uncompromised. Amenities: Though amenities vary from one community to another, it is important to ensure that the ones you need the most are available. Housekeeping, laundry and concierge are some of the basic facilities that the best rated senior living communities provide. At our senior living communities, we offer spacious outdoor areas, gym equipped with state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength-training equipment, aerobics, and a calm yoga deck, libraries, games and movie theatres. You can host a private screening of your favourite movie, host parties and more in our banquet halls. There are business centres where you can hold meetings. Recreational activities: From activities focussing on physical fitness to organising daily activities, most senior living communities have a busy activity calendar. Educational lectures and workshops, physical activities such as yoga and fitness classes, music concerts and movie screenings are some of the regular activities that we conduct.

Investing time in searching for the best rated senior living communities with good amenities and trained professionals is important for your long-term happiness. Here are a few things that will help you choose one where you can live your golden years in bliss: Make safety a priority: Safety should be your top priority. The best senior living communities provide a safe, secure, and a calming atmosphere. They ensure 24×7 security without being intrusive. Our senior living communities use the latest technology to ensure that the premises are well-guarded. Gates are manned by security personnel 24×7 with CCTV surveillance for the premises. Do check the location: The location should have easy accessibility and yet have a calming environment. Our communities are conveniently located and are well – connected to other parts of the city. Residents get to enjoy open spaces and there is greenery in and around the complex. The tranquil atmosphere of our communities makes it a great place to relax and enjoy yourself. Check out the amenities: Amenities at senior living communities should be comprehensive so that residents do not have to venture out for basic things. Laundry facilities, housekeeping and concierge are some basic facilities that should be there. Make sure that senior living communities have a swimming pool, fitness center, movie theatres and spacious outdoor areas. At our retirement homes, we provide all-round services to our residents that include emergency medical facilities, recreational activities and amenities such as clubhouse, business centre, restaurant and more. Tour the facility: Once you have zeroed in on a few senior living communities, visit them personally. All you need to do is book an appointment and the team will walk you through the whole community.

Mr. and Mrs. Nair were planning to move to a senior citizen community in Chennai. They had a big house in the city, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for them to manage it. With age, they were finding it difficult to maintain the house. They had a trustworthy maid who helped them with the household chores, but when she left for her village the couple was left scrambling to find a new maid. Their only son stayed in Delhi and wanted them to come and stay with him. But they didn’t want to leave the city and also lose their sense of freedom. After a lot of consideration, they planned to move to a senior citizen community in Chennai. But they were apprehensive about making new friends there. We understand that striking up friendships when you are moving to a new place can be tricky. But senior citizen housing communities like ours help you with an environment that fosters friendships. Be it our community spaces or barbeque area and lounge seating – our senior citizen housing communities are designed in a way to help people converse and get acquainted with like-minded people. If you are above 60 and are planning to move to a senior citizen housing community – but like the Nairs you are worried about making new friends at a new place, then read on. Meet your new neighbours – Start connecting with your neighbours. Smile at them whenever you see them, and you’ll soon find an opportunity to chat with them. Once you start getting to know them, meet them over a cup of tea or coffee. Our restaurant and bistro is very popular amongst our residents, as it offers the right ambience to strike up conversations over a cup of tea and delicious, freshly-baked confections. Follow passion – Whether it’s art, books or music, regularly participating in an activity that you enjoy allows you to be in contact with other like-minded people over and over. Meeting them regularly can be a great first step to connect with them. Our reading lounge and library is a great place to meet other book lovers. Our indoor games room is the ideal place to strike up conversations with other residents over a game of pool or carrom. Volunteer – Volunteering for a worthwhile cause is a great way to meet interesting people who care about the same things as you do. Keep an eye on local events – From walking tours and art classes to group exercise classes – find out about local events that might interest you. Usually the basis of making a friend is a shared experience. Learn new skills – When you move to a senior citizen housing community, you don’t have to worry about everyday household chores. Housekeeping and maintenance services, taken care of by an experienced team, gives you the freedom to lead a maintenance-free lifestyle. You can use the time on hand to learn new skills and meet new people. We understand that change isn’t easy and the decision to move to a new place and making new friends may be tough. But we are here to help you take that next step with confidence.

Mr. Subramanium, a retired teacher aged 65, lives with his wife in Bangalore. Their only son moved to Canada 3 years ago and was the one that introduced them to the benefits of social media. The aged couple found their old friends on social channels and were extremely happy to reconnect with them. They exchanged personal details with them and kept in touch with their old friends. They would occasionally email their friends asking about their wellbeing. One day they received an email from Mrs. Kumar, one of their old friends, asking for money because she was in some sort of a financial bind. She particularly told them not to talk about it to other friends. The couple was worried about her and transferred the money. They were taken aback when one of their friends called them and asked whether they received an email from Mrs. Kumar asking for money. They were shocked when they heard that someone impersonating Mrs. Kumar was asking for money from all her friends. Like Mr. and Mrs. Subramanium, there are many seniors in India who fall prey to such financial scams online. Many of them lead lonely lives as their kids have settled abroad or live in a different city. They aren’t generally comfortable with technology and are less likely to react to SMSes sent by their banks informing them of transactions done by them or by someone on behalf of them. At Columbia Pacific Communities, the largest senior living community operators in India, we understand how difficult it can be for the elderly to navigate different online channels. Here we discuss a few useful tips to help you stay safe online – Be extremely careful of emails offering free vacations or gifts. These are tricks designed to get personal information from you so that scammers can steal your identity or money. Don’t use the same password for every site and app you use. Don’t share your personal information like name, address, location, age, phone number, birthday, email address, bank account details and insurance policy numbers online. Remember most organizations such as banks and charities don’t ask for your personal information over email. Don’t open attachments or click on links from unknown senders. If you get an email from your bank asking you to download an attachment, it’s better to call the bank and confirm whether they sent the email or not. There is a very common scam, called phishing, where you are asked to open a link of what looks like a legitimate website. But in reality, is a scam website designed to steal your personal information. One quick way to determine the safety of a website is to check whether the URL begins with “https://.” Also, look for a padlock icon next to the website’s URL. Clicking on it will notify you that your connection is secure. Don’t respond to messages where the email appears to come from people you know but the sender plays the secrecy card; for example, “don’t tell my son” or “don’t tell our friends”. If you want to respond to such an email, always get in touch with the sender or his/her family even if he/she has specifically told you not to.If you shop online, check your bank statements regularly.

Many of you must be looking forward to your retirement years. Not having a 9-5 schedule will give you all the time in the world. But once the initial excitement gets over, it can get pretty boring. But if you move to a senior citizen housing facility, there are a myriad of activities you can participate in to keep yourself engaged and busy. There’s never a dull moment in our senior citizen homes in India. You can explore how our residents are enjoying a fulfilled and content life, making new friends and filling their time with new hobbies. Over here are some entertainment ideas for seniors, pick what you love the most: Plan a day trip: A day trip to a nearby town or taking a pilgrimage tour can open a whole new world for seniors. At our senior citizen communities, we help our residents organise trips and facilitate booking. We also help them hire vehicles for impromptu trips. All our communities in India are located in prime locations which makes it easy for residents to go out shopping, catch the latest movies and eat at their favorite restaurant. Watch a movie: Sometimes, there is nothing more entertaining than watching a movie, whether it is the latest one or a classic. At our senior citizen homes, we provide concierge services that will help you book movie tickets and hire vehicles if you are planning to step out. You can also host a movie screening for your friends and family members at the community. In our Wi-Fi enabled clubhouse, you can watch your favourite movies and shows on your laptop or tablet. Take part in performing arts: Participating in theatre, dance, and music is not just entertaining and fun but it also helps in improving your quality of life and well-being. These activities reduce stress and are good for better cognitive function. At our communities, we organise various activities including performing arts. Recently, we also organised an inter-housing competition that was held virtually owing to the pandemic. Play games: Playing games is a wonderful way to stay engaged and feel a sense of accomplishment. Indoor and outdoor games can be healthy pastimes as they are good for physical and mental health. Our senior citizen housing communities have arrangements for indoor and outdoor games. We also organise friendly matches to keep the community spirit alive. If games are not something that interests you, you can join fitness classes like aerobics and move to the musical beats.