Columbia Pacific Communities Blogs

The fondest memories are made when we are gathered around the table over a sumptuous meal. This #WorldFoodDay, join us in celebrating some of our residents’ favourite heirloom recipes passed down generations. Bon Apetit!   Angaya Podi By Ms Girija Janakiraman, Serene Urbana Eating is a necessity, but cooking is an art. Also, there is no “saying no” to grandma’s cooking. I would like to share one of my favourite recipes called the Angaya Podi that I had learnt from my grandmother. It is a dry chutney powder that is made with highly nutritious ingredients. This powder is best enjoyed with steaming hot rice topped with a generous dollop of ghee (clarified butter) or til (sesame) oil. Besides setting you into a bout of rapture, the podi aids digestion, increases the rate of metabolism, cleans up the bladder and has a great nutritional value. Ingredients 1/4th cup sundakkai vathal (dried turkey berries) 1/4th cup manathakkali vathal (dried sun berries/wonder berries) 1 teaspoon dry neem flowers 50 grams dry ginger powder 2 teaspoons asafoetida powder (hing) 2 teaspoons cumin seed (jeera] powder 2 teaspoons pepper powder 1/4th cup coriander seeds (dhaniya) 1 cup dry curry leaves 5 to 6 dry red chillies Rock salt to taste Instructions Dry roast the following for two minutes on low flame: sundakkai vathal, manathakkali vathal, dry neem flowers, coriander seeds, dry curry leaves, dry red chillies and rock salt. Cool and transfer the ingredients mentioned above to a mixer jar. Add dry ginger powder, asafoetida, jeera and pepper powder. Grind the ingredients into a fine powder. Enjoy the chutney powder with hot rice and ghee. Manathakkali Vathal Kuzhambu By Meera Srinivasan, resident of Serene Urbana by Columbia Pacific Communities The food made by one’s grandmother is always special, not just because it is a mouthwatering culinary delight or a childhood favourite, but also because of the simplicity and love that go into its preparation. Regardless of the dish, I love how my grandma didn’t use any readymade masalas or instant powder while cooking. I think the freshly ground ingredients lent a special charm to my grandma’s recipes. In today’s times where a wide variety of cuisines from around the world are available on a platter, we still crave for the food prepared by our grandma. Keeping this in mind, I am sharing my grandma’s recipe of pepper jeera kuzhambu with manathakkali vathal. This kuzhambu aids digestion, fights stomach infection and improves appetite. Ingredients For grinding 1 tablespoon black pepper ½ tablespoon cumin seeds (jeera) 1 tablespoon black gram (urad dal) 1 tablespoon coriander seeds (dhaniya) 4 red chillies (byadgi variety) Other ingredients Tamarind (lemon sized ball) 1/4th teaspoon turmeric powder Salt to taste 1 teaspoon jaggery 1/4th teaspoon asafoetida powder {hing} For tempering 1 tablespoon gingelly oil 1/4th teaspoon mustard seeds 1 tablespoon manathakkali vathal {nightshade berries) 1 sprig curry leaves 2 red chillies Instructions Soak tamarind in warm water for ten minutes and extract the pulp. Roast all the ingredients listed under “for grinding” on a low flame until they turn golden and grind into a fine powder. Cook the tamarind pulp along with the “other ingredients” mentioned above. Allow the mixture to boil for three minutes and add the masala powder, two cups of water and let it simmer for another five minutes. Adjust the consistency of the kuzhambu by adding more water if required. In a pan, heat gingelly oil and add the ingredients meant for tempering. Once they start spluttering, pour the tempering into the kuzhambu and mix it well. Take the pot off the flame, cover it with a lid and leave for ten minutes. Serve hot with steaming rice and a dollop of ghee. Thippili Rasam By Anuradha Jagannathan, Serene Urbana My grandma’s special Thippili Rasam is not only enjoyable on rainy evenings but can also be used as a medicinal soup to build up immunity against cold, cough, fever and digestive disorders. It also helps to prevent nervous cramps in the calf muscles. The special ingredient, called thippili or pippali (long pepper in English), is a widely used spice in ayurvedic churanams, kashayams and lehiyams. Consumed twice a week in the form of a soup or mixed with hot rice and ghee, this rasam can do wonders for our system. Ingredients For rasam powder 1 cup black pepper 1 cup cumin seeds 1 cup long pepper (thippili sticks) 1 cup pigeon pea (toor dal) For rasam ½ lemon sized lump of tamarind 1 tablespoon thippili rasam powder A pinch of asafoetida (Hing) ¼ teaspoon jaggery Salt to taste 1 tablespoon fresh curry leaves Instructions Dry roast all the ingredients on a low flame, cool and make a fine powder. For making rasam Soak tamarind in warm water, extract the juice and dilute by adding two cups of water. Add salt, asafoetida, thippili rasam powder, jaggery and curry leaves. Bring to boil on a low flame till you get a subtle aroma, then add four more cups of water and let it simmer for a minute and keep aside. For tempering, heat cow ghee in an iron ladle on a low flame and add mustard seeds. Once the seeds splutter, pour the tempering into the rasam. Paati’s Kashayam By Barathy Balakrishnan, Serene Urbana They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. However, for my siblings and me, it was a so-called magic drink that kept the doctor away. Our grandmother used to prepare this elixir with a variety of herbs and ensured that we drank it every day during winters and monsoons. Decades later, I find myself on the other side of the table. Being a grandmother myself, I make sure that my grandchildren have this drink every single day. In fact, it is not just for children, but for people of all age groups. I strongly believe that, if taken every-day, it will give you enough immunity to protect you against not just occasional illness, but also COVID-19. Ingredients: 25 grams turmeric powder 15 grams ginger powder 25 grams coriander powder 25 grams aniseeds 10 grams cloves 10 grams cinnamon 10 grams fenugreek seeds 25 grams cumin seeds 25 grams pepper corns 25 grams parsley seeds Instructions: • Grind the above ingredients into a coarse powder and store in an airtight container. • Add one teaspoon powder to one cup of water to make one serving of the kashayam. • Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for five minutes. • Filter and drink the kashayam every morning on an empty stomach. • To enhance the flavour of the kashayam, you may add a bay leaf or basil leaf while boiling it. Kovakkai Avial By Seetha Bharathy, Serene Idigarai You must be familiar with avial – a blend of six to seven vegetables in delectable coconut and curd-based gravy. One afternoon, my family unanimously decided that avial be served for lunch. To my utter dismay, there were no vegetables at home, except kovakkai (ivy gourd/tondli/tindora). And thus, was born kovakkai avial. It has been a family favourite recipe for decades now. Here’s the recipe. Ingredients 250 grams tender kovakkai, split lengthwise 1 cup curd 1 coconut, grated 2-3 green chillies Turmeric powder, one pinch Salt to taste 2 teaspoons coconut oil 2 sprigs curry leaves Instructions Take kovakkai in a pot, sprinkle turmeric powder and salt as per taste. Add one cup or just enough water to cover the vegetables. Cook the kovakkai for 10 minutes and keep aside (take care to not overcook). Beat the curd smooth and keep aside. Finely grind half of the grated coconut along with green chillies. Add the remaining half to the paste and churn briefly (it adds to the coarse texture). Add the paste to the cooked kovakkai, stir well. Add the curd and mix well. Allow the mixture to boil for 2 minutes. Add coconut oil, curry leaves and mix well. Cover the pot and switch off the flame. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes as this lets the avial to absorb the flavour of oil and curry leaves. Serve with rice and sambar or puli kaara kuzhambu.

s senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable groups to the COVID-19 virus, Dr Karthiyayini Mahadevan, head, wellness and well-being, Columbia Pacific Communities suggests a range of ways to address this situation COVID-19, the newly emerged pandemic has woken up the consciousness of human beings to a unique challenge. During these times, there is a lot of focus on how to defend oneself against the offending agent, the COVID-19 virus. In any illness, there is an interaction between the host and the agent, and there is a need for the host to be less perceptive. A spectrum of symptoms and the course of the disease keep changing every day, dynamically. Virus load and reactions to the virus bring about change to the course of this illness. This pandemic has posed a challenge mostly to those who are in the extreme age groups and the ones who have comorbid conditions. Senior citizens and infants are the most vulnerable groups. Hence, our seniors are the ones who need the utmost awareness and protection. Challenges on mental health This outbreak of pandemic proportions has posed numerous compulsions on individuals, viz. indefinite stay indoors or visits away from home and loved ones. Stress resulting from these impositions has led to an array of mental health issues other than the tangibly seen physical illnesses. Since this pandemic is the first of its kind faced by this generation, there are no protocols laid down to overcome the stress caused by this never before experienced situation. The contributing factors adding to this stress are: Uncertainty about the symptoms and course of illness Fear of death Fear of losing loved ones Overwhelming incomprehensive quantum of information Non-availability of beds in hospitals, and in many cases, refusal to admission due to non-availability of ventilators Fear of isolation on being tested positive Consequences of the pandemic on mental health This compounding stress has affected the mind and precipitated any dormant illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders such as OCD, panic attacks and exacerbated the pre-existing mental illnesses and manifested into aggression, suicidal tendencies and chronic fatigue. How to address this situation A well-balanced diet, regular physical activity and a positive attitude plays a major role. Adequate awareness through the right sources will cause less panic and unnecessary anxiety. Social connectedness plays a major role for those who are not tech savvy. Emotional support through friends will also help. Medical advice through teleconsultations and tele counselling on a regular basis will also play an important role in keeping anxiety levels low. Physically being active also helps in creating positive emotions. Hence, exercises with awareness such as Yoga and Tai Chi have been great tools to overcome mental health challenges.

Retirement homes and birthday parties? Aren’t retirement homes supposed to be grey and lifeless? If you thought so, then let us first dispel a few myths, retirement homes are not old age homes. From hosting movie screenings and music concerts to wellness workshops – today’s retirement homes in India help you stay young at heart.    Now let’s look at some interesting ideas to help you host a memorable birthday party.     Host a dinner or luncheon: A simple birthday luncheon or dinner feels delightfully wonderful. Having your favourite people around you while relishing your favourite delicacies is a great way to count your candles and blessings. Many retirement homes like ours offer banquet service to help you host a grand party or dinner. Our banquet halls are spacious enough for you to enjoy dining there with your friends and family. For special occasions, we can design the menu as per your preferences. Decorating the banquet hall with streamers, balloons and birthday decor items will make your birthday bash super fun.     Host a movie screening of your favourite movie: If you are a movie buff, then celebrate your love for cinema on your special day. You can design your invites to look like movie tickets. Have your guests dress up as their favourite movie characters or just catch the latest blockbuster on the big screen at your retirement home. At our retirement home facilities, we can help you host movie screenings of blockbusters as well as classics so that you can enjoy with your family and friends. Follow the movie up with a nice lunch or dinner.     Plan a birthday outing: Visit a museum or a monument, go to your favourite restaurant, attend a music concert, throw an amazing birthday picnic or plan a birthday getaway, there is a lot you can do on your special day. If you are worried about booking tickets and arranging vehicles, many retirement home facilities, including ours, have concierge services for residents. We help you hire vehicles for your impromptu trips. We also provide booking assistance.   Fun games equal fun parties: Who said indoor games are only for kids’ birthday parties? To ensure everyone is laughing, engaged, and entertained, host indoor games. Treasure hunt, ping pong, musical hoops, and karaoke can liven up any birthday party. If you’re worried about organising these fun parties, trained and dedicated staff at our senior living communities can help you with this and a lot more. We hope we have given you enough ideas for your birthday bash and you must now be eagerly waiting to blow out the candles and unwrap the gifts.  

For many seniors, moving to a community living can be emotionally difficult, leaving old friends behind and starting over in a new place. We understand that any change in your living situation is bound to stress you and make you anxious, hence it’s important to give yourself time and space to cope with change. Once you move to a community living facility, take your time to adjust to the new environment but at the same time do not feel shy to interact with others.   If  you are moving into a community living facility, here’s what you can do to make new friends:      Spend more time in common areas: Instead of going back to your apartment or villa, spend more time in common areas where you can find people with common interests. There are many ways you can occupy yourself in a community living facility like ours. You can participate in indoor and outdoor games and other activities throughout the day that will give you ample opportunities to strike a conversation and foster new friendships.     Attend events: When you’re moving in, look at the social calendars and see if you fancy anything. Many assisted living facilities like ours realise that making friends in a new place can be difficult. Hence we organise events that are developed keeping in mind the needs and interests of our residents. You will find one or the other activity of your interest. At our community living facility, we organise music concerts, lectures, and workshops that are fun and informative. These places provide you with ways to identify common grounds with other residents. It’s better to catch up with a movie screening with others rather than watching it alone in your apartment.      Break bread together: Food plays a very important role when it comes to fostering friendship. Sharing a meal with others is the easiest way to interact with them and get to know them. Sitting with new people and eating with them can go a long way in developing relationships. At our community living facility, we have spacious dining halls where you can enjoy relaxed meals. Finding new friends while eating will make your meals fun. Those of you who feel like ordering in can have the meals delivered to the doorstep. Some luxury community living facilities also have a beverage station with juicers, smoothie makers  and coffee machines so that you can indulge in your favorite beverage while enjoying with your friends.     Join a fitness class: Joining an exercise class can be a great way to meet people and get to know them better. Exercising is a common interest that everybody loves to talk about. Besides sharing workout tips, there is a lot that you can talk about while exercising. There is one added benefit in this; when you have someone to exercise with, you are more likely to stick to commitment and schedule. At our community living facilities, we offer yoga classes and other physical activities designed by our physiotherapists that will help you stay healthy and yet meet new people. We offer a variety of opportunities for seniors to stay involved in their community, including music concerts and movie screenings.   We hope you find the above-mentioned tips handy when you are moving into a community living facility.

Considering the vulnerability of elderly living alone, the demand for retirement communities or assisted living facilities is on the rise. “We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of enquires along with 4x increase in organic traffic to our website,” said Mohit Nirula, CEO, Columbia Pacific Communities. In an exclusive interview with RoofandFloor, he spoke about how the company is addressing Covid-19 challenges, changing buyers’ preferences, and much more. Here are the excerpts. What are buyers looking for in a retirement community? Are there needs evolving with time?The demand for wellness and wellbeing programmes aimed at positive ageing and a healthcare support structure is the top priority. Further, today’s well-travelled buyers are also looking for a more socially active and enabling service design that allows them to leave the day-to-day chores to the service provider while allowing them the freedom to pursue their interests and passions. What changes did you make in the retirement communities during the pandemic?More than changes, there was a reinforcement of current practices. This involved greater education and dissemination of credible information on the pandemic and the best ways to cope with it. The advice and expertise of our healthcare partners helped in countering the misinformation overload that accompanied the pandemic. We were also able to ring-fence the communities and provide services through team members residing with the community. This ensured that residents were kept protected from the external environment. There was also the introduction of immunity-boosting beverages and augmentation of such ingredients in the daily menus. The most important thing was the increased use of digital platforms to keep residents engaged so that physical distancing did not result in social distancing and loneliness. Is the demand for retirement homes and assisted living facilities in India increasing? If yes, what are the reasons?Yes, the demand for assisted living facilities in India is on the rise. We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of enquires along with 4x increase in organic traffic to our website. Demand for Retirement Communities on the RiseConsidering that the elderly are among the worst hit due to the ongoing pandemic, the demand for retirement communities will only increase in the times to come. Who are the potential buyers? There are two distinct segments—first, senior citizens who desire to reduce their dependence on external service providers. Secondly, there is a high degree of interest from future residents in the age group of 50 – 60. Which price segment has the highest demand?There is a demand for communities at different price points. Generally, the prices vary from Rs 20-50 Lakh for a 1BHK (excluding the more expensive metropolitan cities such as Mumbai and Delhi) depending on the size of the home and the location. Similarly, monthly maintenance charges may vary from Rs 8,000-40,000 depending on the range and quality of services provided within the community. What should the government do to promote senior living as an attractive asset class for investment?I do not believe that one should look at senior living communities as an asset class or a financial investment. Having said that, the government should: Waive off GST on services provided in senior living communities Relax the FSI and parking norms for senior living communities Consider financial initiatives that make the reverse mortgage more attractiveCreate guidelines to govern the physical structure and services at communities designed for seniorsYour advice for selecting a senior living home in the post-Covid world.Select the community as a whole and not just the home. Your neighbours, after all, are going to be your neighbours forever. Also, the selection should be based on the needs you wish to address today or expect to have in the future.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. Authorities around the world have emphasised on the importance of hygiene practices, social distancing and self-quarantining owing to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19. While most governments are taking requisite measures to contain the spread of the disease, citizens worldwide are experiencing something in common – dread and panic. Older people, who are believed to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their weakened immune systems, are especially concerned. During times like these, seniors living in independent senior living communities have the means to cope with the situation better. Let us understand how.   They feel safe People living in independent senior living communities rely on their service provider to smoothen things out when times get stressful and chaotic. At Columbia Pacific Communities, we provide a safe environment for our residents during tumultuous times. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first message on the outbreak, our protocol embraces the principle of “precautions, not panic.” The initiatives being taken across our communities during the lockdown period rest on the pillars of raising awareness around COVID-19, preventing its spread and boosting the wellbeing and morale of our residents. Sharing the right information and dispelling myths about COVID-19 that are being widely shared via WhatsApp, is an important example.   They stay connected The essence of a community lies in feeling connected with others. Especially during a crisis such as the COVID-19 outbreak. Residents of Columbia Pacific Communities have each other’s back and comfort each other during difficult times like these. Whether it is exchanging messages on the community WhatsApp group or going for walks while maintaining social distancing, seniors don’t feel shut out as the world battles the pandemic.   They are worry-free Unlike seniors who live on their own in stand-alone homes or mixed family communities, where they have to fend for themselves or depend on others, seniors living in communities don’t have to bother themselves with chores. At Columbia Pacific Communities, residents can get their meals, medical supplies and other essentials delivered at their doorstep.   They feel secure With strict security measures and hygiene practices in place, residents have the assurance that they are well protected from the disease. To minimise the chance of spreading COVID-19 within the communities, the entry for visitors has been restricted at Columbia Pacific Communities. Outsiders are not allowed into the community, and home delivery of essentials is being driven by the community staff members.   They are cared for Caring for seniors doesn’t end with defining safety protocol. The staff members at Columbia Pacific Communities have been instructed to wash/sanitise their hands as well as commonly touched surfaces often. They have also been asked to report immediately if they feel unwell. Single residents are checked upon every day by the wellness staff and couples have been educated to report any symptoms to the medical teams.   Above all, seniors are nurtured in an enriching environment that encourages them to continue being socially, physically, emotionally, intellectually and mentally engaged.  

Love knows no age, gender, colour, caste or creed and deserves to be expressed and celebrated by everybody. This Valentine’s Day, we at Columbia Pacific Communities, held a contest titled ‘Expressions of Love,’ to celebrate love in all its myriad forms and glory. As part of the contest, we invited our residents to send in their expressions of love for a special someone in the form of photographs, portraits, sketches, paintings or poetry and prose.   We were heartened by the fabulous response to the contest. Residents sent in messages of love in the form of images, prose, poetry and art. From pictures of the most cherished moments with the love of their lives to artistic representations of universal love, we received varied expressions of love from our residents. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for us to go through all the entries and picking the most endearing and unique ones from the lot.   The winning entries were sent by Serene Urbana residents – Prof. T. S. Saraswathi, Ms Jyothi Mohan and Mr J. N. Varadarajan. The winners were treated to a special lunch experience at the multi-cuisine restaurant Palette at Taj Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru, on 14th February 2020.  

A Ramasami, resident of Serene Pelican by Columbia Pacific Community, describes the immense pleasure he once derived from glancing upon dancing sunflowers during a long drive.   As I was gazing through the speeding car, A flash crossed across my eyes, A beautiful mind-mending delight, A colourful heart-filling display, A never-ending brain activator, A sight, lovely sight always to enjoy.   A sea of sunflowers fluttering and dancing, Twisting, twinkling and thrilling sunflowers, Gleaming, glowing and glittering sunflowers, A miracle blooming on either side of the road, A blissful vision for the gazing eyes, A gleeful spectacle ever to remember, never to forget.   At the precarious hour of melancholy, At the time, when spirits are at an ebb, A ray of happiness flashed out of memory, A gay of gaiety blossomed in the heart.   A recall, a sudden recall of gazing through a speeding car, An immense pleasure of seeing the sunflowers along the drive, A sprouting recollection from the slumbering subconscious, Assuage a way out of depression leading to elated high spirits.   This blog post is by Serene Pelican (Puducherry) resident A. Ramasami.

A Ramasami, resident of Serene Pelican by Columbia Pacific Community, dedicates a poem to the nation that India used to be and salutes the forgotten heroes of India’s freedom struggle.   Kings of many, many kingdoms Know not how many kingdoms Kindling hatred among one another Ruled large and small parts of India   Came as businessmen Conquered Indian rulers Came into existence One British India   Installed by an emperor, English Governors of various provinces Instigating enmity between kings Grabbed their kingdoms   One hundred and fifty years One soul named Gandhi born Oneness with patriotism resounded Leading to a free India In 1947 and secular Republic in 1950   Missing common thread of unity Much against the wish of Mahatma Mighty India vivisected into two As India and Pakistan   Uncanny English rulers left Ungracefully leaving Kashmir in between Ugly wars between India and Pakistan Unending loss of precious lives   No border dispute in British India Nonstop dispute after Independence None to find an amicable solution Nothing to stop border killings   Military spending abnormally inflated Money for the poor not there Men in uniform shedding lives Making more widows for mourning   God, god, end the war Give us peace, peace Gracefully pray, let us pray for Grandchildren to live happily.   This blog post is by Serene Pelican (Puducherry) resident A. Ramasami.

OK boomer.   The phrase made international news when 25-year-old Chlöe Swarbrick, a member of New Zealand’s parliament, used it in response to an interruption by a much older parliament member. While “OK boomer” may have been used by the indignant next generations to define or mock an attitude (read – deep-rooted power structures of a society), one cannot deny that it is an ageist catchphrase.   It stereotypes all baby boomers and seniors as narrow-minded and conformist individuals who try to impose their ideas and opinions on the younger generations. And this is precisely why it is important to address the implications of the widespread popularity of “OK boomer.” As India’s largest independent senior living community operators, we believe that age is just a number and are committed to shattering age-related stereotypes.   At Columbia Pacific Communities, we believe that individuals, across age groups, have a part to play in society. It would be unfair to deem an entire generation as biased and indifferent to the concerns of the youth. For it is a generation that has a sea of experience, perspective and insight sought by younger generations. For it is a generation, like the generations before and after, that believes in relentless pursuit of the incredible. We believe that positive ageing is a way of approaching life because people are a sum of their experiences and aspirations and cannot be defined by a number.   We enrich the lives of our residents by providing both tangible and intangible means to age positively. We believe that one should be able to spend their golden years the way they desire. Our newest project, The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences, is India’s first independent senior living community designed to international standards. In addition to premium serviced apartments, a signature club equipped with unmatched senior-friendly amenities and world-class healthcare, our residents at The Virtuoso will also have all the support to age positively and live life just the way they want to. While the world tries to put labels on people and expiry date on ambitions, we politely yet firmly push back age-related stereotypes and set a new benchmark for senior living in India.