If you are a senior who is no longer constrained by work and family responsibilities, moving into a retirement home can be a great choice. Senior living communities are ideal for you – if you prefer a worry-free retirement lifestyle and want to stay physically active and socially engaged. These communities offer you a safe and comfortable living environment that you need to lead a happy and enjoyable retirement life. However, before you move into a retirement home, there are many decisions to be made such as the cost of the retirement communities and facilities. If you are wondering what should you prioritise – the retirement homes’ cost or the facilities offered, here are some useful tips for you: Analyse your budget Before you start looking for retirement homes, it is important to make proper financial planning. Create a plan and spend time with your spouse and family to decide how much money you can spend for a retirement home. Include all your fixed living expenses to create a practical financial plan. Know your needs: It is really important that you understand what your housing preferences are, what facilities and amenities you want and need, and how well the selected retirement homes can meet those wants and needs. When it comes to choosing a retirement home there are many factors that come into play and some of them are: Current mobility and accessibility needs Health concerns Proximity to family Opportunities to interact with others Home security Dining facilities Opportunities to pursue new interests and hobbies Amenities offered Most premium retirement homes are integrated with modern facilities such as a clubhouse, senior-friendly, swimming pool, library, restaurants, yoga deck, spa, and salon. You need to figure out which amenities are essential for you. List them out and see how much they cost and how they improve your quality of life. What should you prioritise – the cost of the retirement home or the facilities? Well, the simple answer to the question is that you must find the right balance between the two. Just going by the cost and denying yourself comforts during your retirement years will definitely not lead to a fulfilling retirement life. At the same time, going all out on amenities without worrying about the cost would not be financially prudent. Remember, the ideal retirement choice for you would be something that offers comfort and happiness within your budget. Besides the price of retirement homes, what should you look for in a senior living community? If you are looking for retirement homes in India, here is our buyers’ guide that helps you make an informed decision. To know more, you can get in touch with us at+918884555554.

In today’s hectic and chaotic world, people resort to yoga to get relief from stress and enjoy health benefits. While stretching poses help the body gain strength and flexibility, deep breathing exercises helps in calming the mind.     Yoga is a full-body workout that has many benefits. However, if not done properly, yoga can hurt. As one of the leading retirement homes in India, we have curated a list of do’s and don’ts while practising yoga to help you reap the benefits:    Do’s  Warm-up before asanas: To avoid body sores and aches, warming up before yoga is important as it prepares the body for various movements. Empty the bowel before yoga practice: To make the most out of a yoga session, clear the bowel before practising yoga. Drink hot water in the morning as it can soften stools and regularise bowel movements.   Wear comfortable clothing: Wear light and comfortable cotton clothes as they facilitate easy movement of your body.  Body should be prepared for yoga:A well-rested body responds to yoga better. Hence, get a sound sleep the night before. Avoid practising yoga when you are tired or exhausted.  Don’ts Do not practise yoga on a full stomach: Practising yoga with a full belly can cause stomachache, gurgling, and bloating. As a general rule, avoid eating two hours before practising yoga. The last meal you eat before yoga should be light.  Do not attempt advanced asanas too soon: If you are new to yoga, build your strength and flexibility before trying advanced poses. Some advanced poses may seem effortless, but it takes years of practice to reach perfection. Without adequate practice, you can put yourself at risk of injury by trying asanas your body is not ready for. Do not jerk your body for any asana: Holding your body tight can cause injury. Move your body slowly and steadily.  Do not ignore injury: If your joints feel sore, avoid practising yoga for a few days. Let the inflammation and swelling reduce before restarting your yoga session.  End the yoga session with relaxation techniques: Do not hurriedly wind up your yoga session. Complete it with breathing exercises that will calm your body and mind.    Yoga is an important part of the wellness programme at our retirement homes in India.  In addition to yoga sessions, there are other activities such as aerobics and dance classes that help our residents stay physically active     To know more about our retirement homes and cost, call us at +91 8884555554.

Arthritis is an inflammation in joints and surrounding tissues that causes pain and swelling. Often arthritis is referred to as a single disease. But it is an umbrella term for more than 100 medical conditions that affect the joints. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which affects older adults. Despite being a common problem, there are many myths that surround arthritis and its treatment. As one of the leading retirement homes in India, we debunk a few myths around arthritis: Myth 1: Joint pain means arthritis: Fact: All joint pain is not necessarily arthritis. Other conditions, such as tendonitis or soft-tissue injuries can also cause joint pain. These conditions mimic arthritis pain. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which affects patients over 50 years old. It causes swelling, pain, and difficulty in moving joints. Myth 2: People with arthritis should not exercise: Fact: Exercise is beneficial in managing arthritis pain. Exercise can help you maintain strength and improve the range of motion in the joints. In fact, modern treatments of arthritis suggest exercise programs that need to be followed by patients regularly. Myth 3: Once arthritis is diagnosed, nothing can be done about it Fact: Arthritis can be managed with proper medication and an arthritis-appropriate exercise program. Also, adopting a healthy lifestyle is important to manage arthritis pain. Eating a wholesome diet, maintaining sleeping hours, and shedding excess weight can help you manage the condition. Myth 4: Diet has nothing to do with arthritis Fact: A wholesome diet plays an important role in managing the symptoms of arthritis. A diet rich may help to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. It can be either taken in supplement form or from food sources high in omega-3 such as salmon, chia seeds, flax seeds, and nut oils. The key here is to maintain a healthy weight to support the joints. Myth 5: There’s only one kind of arthritis There is a perception that there is only one type of arthritis. However, there are over 100 types of arthritis. Some of them are: Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Childhood arthritis Spondyloarthropathies Lupus erythematosus Gout Infectious and reactive arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis. The right treatment and making healthy lifestyle changes can greatly reduce arthritis pain. At Columbia Pacific Communities, we ensure that our residents enjoy a healthy lifestyle. From open areas to exercise to healthy and nutritious meals served at our dining halls, community facilities and services are planned keeping in mind the requirements of our residents. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554. 

Across generations and cultures, sharing a meal has always been about so much more than just eating food. Eating together brings people closer as they exchange stories and share a laugh. As one of the leading retirement homes in India, we recognise the importance of a social mealtime and that is why at all our retirement homes in India residents eat together.  Here we share with you some benefits of eating together:  Encourages good eating habits: It has been found that seniors take longer to dine and eat more nutritiously when dining with companions versus when they eat alone. Moreover, eating alone also leads to eating ready-to-eat food that is mostly processed, frozen, and lacks essential nutrients.   Promotes good physical health:  Seniors who eat alone tend to have poor food habits, which can cause malnutrition and compromise the immune system. According to a study, people who eat most of their meals alone may be at an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes.  Create meaningful social connections: Mealtimes are a great time to connect socially. When seniors share their meals with loved ones, they get a chance to enjoy hearty conversations. Be it family or friends, eating together is an easy way to spend time with others.  Improve mental well-being:  Coming together for a meal means talking, laughing, celebrating, and staying connected to people. It creates a sense of belonging and boosts self-esteem. Staying connected with people has immense psychological benefits such as reduced stress as well as an improved ability to cope with stress. On the contrary, eating alone is strongly associated with the lack of interest in food and a reduced state of health.  However, if you are living alone, you can still nourish yourself with healthy food that too without feeling lonely:  Subscribe to a healthy meal service. It is an easy and convenient way to plan solo meals. Subscribe to a healthy meal service nearby for a worry-free meal experience.  Schedule mealtimes with family and friends: During mealtimes, schedule video chats with family and friends. Although virtual, it will give you the same warmth of staying connected to your loved ones.   The dining experience at our retirement homes  At Columbia Pacific Communities, residents enjoy healthy, fresh, and nutritious meals together. Made with fresh ingredients, there are multiple options available to suit all types of taste buds. The menu at our retirement homes is designed by nutritionists, keeping in mind the nutritional needs of seniors. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Just as your body ages, your eyesight too begins to change. While some changes are driven by genetics, others are exacerbated by poor lifestyle choices such as leading a sedentary life, eating processed food and smoking. As one of the leading retirement homes in India, we have curated a list of tips to maintain your eye health in later years: Eat a well-balanced diet: A diet rich in nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E is good for eye health. Include green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, citrus fruits, eggs, nuts, and kidney beans in your daily diet.  Exercise regularly: Many vision problems stem from high cholesterol and high blood pressure; exercising and a healthy diet can help lower both. Cardio exercises such as aerobics, rope skipping, cycling, and power walking can reduce the risk of several common eye ailments. Cardiovascular exercises help you maintain a healthy lower intraocular pressure – which increases the flow of blood to the optic nerves and the retina. For a good vision, make exercising a part of your daily routine.   Quit smoking, if you have not already: Smoking increases your risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing many eye conditions. If you have tried to kick the habit before only to start again, seek professional help.  Limit your screen time: As one gets older, tear production diminishes. This makes dry eyes syndrome common in people over 50. And too much screen time can make the symptoms of dry eyes worse. If you spend a considerable amount of time in front of a computer, smartphone or a tablet, you must reduce your screen time. Uncontrolled screen time can result in dry eyes and eye irritation. Consult an ophthalmologist if you need any eye drops to keep your eyes moist.  As you age, regular eye testing is important. At our retirement homes in India, your vital parameters are monitored regularly, along with regular health screening for early detection and treatment. To find out the average monthly cost of staying in one of our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554.