Articles - Know More About Senior Living retirement communities

Mrs. Radhika Murthy lost her husband a year ago. Her son, settled in Pune, wanted his mother to move to Pune from Bangalore. But she didn’t want to shift to Pune permanently. She didn’t want to leave Bangalore as she had fond memories of the city. The other reason for her unwillingness to shift to Pune was that she didn’t want to lose her sense of independence. But at the same time, she knew that living alone in her big house wasn’t a feasible solution. After a lot of discussions, Mrs. Murthy and her son decided that moving to a retirement home in Bangalore was a win-win situation for both of them. Mrs. Murthy gets the experience of a community and her son gets peace of mind knowing that his mother will be safe and sound. Mrs. Murthy isn’t alone. Maintaining a sense of independence is incredibly important for everyone. But it takes a whole new meaning as people get older. With kids moving to different cities or countries, and parents not willing to move with their children – retirement homes in India are increasingly presenting a win-win situation for seniors and their kids. They give the family peace of mind for their loved one’s health and safety. And seniors get to enjoy a worry-free independent lifestyle. Today’s retirement homes in India aren’t old age homes They are designed in a way to help seniors live independently with equal focus given on encouraging them to socialise and connect with their neighbours and other residents. Retirement homes in India promote hassle-free living as the housekeeping and maintenance work is taken care of by the staff. Such arrangements make the day-to-day lives of the seniors easy. It also gives them an opportunity to pursue their passions, to mingle with friends or to simply relax and enjoy the ambience. Retirement homes in India like ours are transforming senior living in India. Whether it’s a tranquil villa, an apartment or a row house, our homes are specially designed for safe and comfortable living for singles or couples. With a host of entertainment options such as movie screenings and music concerts to inspiring activities such as yoga or meditation – every single day at our retirement homes in India help our residents live life to the fullest. We also support our residents with their medical needs. Our partnerships with nearby hospitals ensure residents get round-the-clock care. From emergency care with 24/7 ambulance service, doctor-on-call, and emergency protocols in place to comprehensive geriatric assessment and supportive care – we ensure that the healthcare needs of our residents are met.

Senior citizen housing in India is gaining popularity. The cost is not the only factor that seniors are taking into account. Activities planned during the day, meals and wellness support plan also play a crucial part in influencing the purchase decision. If you or your loved one is planning to move into a senior living community, here are a few trends that you should know about: 1. Integrated services and amenities: Active seniors living in India of late are looking for independent living facilities that provide high-end amenities. Housekeeping, laundry, concierge services, and wholesome meals are some of the basic amenities that seniors look for. Our senior living communities are designed to help residents live a maintenance-free lifestyle. They don’t have to worry about household chores like cleaning, laundry, cooking and doing the dishes. Electricians and plumbers are made available on call. We help you with concierge service and booking assistance as well. 2. Physically and socially active life: Supporting an active life is a must for retirement homes. Many senior citizen housing complexes in India like ours have various facilities for indoor and outdoor sports. We have a swimming pool at Serene Urbana, our senior living community in Bangalore. To keep residents socially engaged, day trips, festival celebrations and yoga classes are arranged. A day at our communities start with daily exercises which are designed by trained physiotherapists. 3. Preventive healthcare and emergency care: Medical facilities play a very important role for seniors living in India. Not only do they look for 24X7 emergency care and a doctor on call but also preventive healthcare. We have partnered with leading local hospitals which organise regular health check-ups to ensure the overall well-being of the residents. Secured environment: Seniors living in India prefer retirement homes that offer maximum safety and security to its residents, without being too obstructive. Trained security staff guard our communities. There are CCTV cameras for round-the-clock surveillance. Also, fire safety equipment is installed to ensure added safety to the elderly.

As you are no longer tied to a city for professional commitments, there are many places in India where you can move to after retirement. However, before you rush to make any decision that will have a significant impact on your retirement years, here are a few factors you should consider: 1. Proximity to family and friends: It is entirely up to you whether you want to retire in the city where you currently live or move elsewhere. If the city you are living in is affordable, close to family and friends, then choosing a retirement home in that city makes sense. However, if you don’t have a real connection to the city and a strong reason to stay back, then you can think of moving to a different city. We have some of the best homes for retirement in cities such as Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram and Puducherry. These homes are conveniently located, which ensures you enjoy city life as well as the calmness and serenity of our retirement homes. 2. Cost of living: You may have a little more time in hand after you retire. This means frequent visits to shopping malls and movie halls. You may also want to pick new hobbies like crocheting, singing, learning to play a musical instrument or a new language. These commitments involve additional expenses along with basic living expenses. Hence, it’s also important to check the cost of living in your preferred city. 3. Climate: It is difficult to choose a senior living community just on the basis of climate. From sunny beaches to cities with mild temperatures, there are multiple options. We have our retirement homes in Puducherry, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, Chennai and Bangalore. While Bangalore experiences pleasant weather throughout the year, Chennai and Puducherry have great beaches to enjoy during sunny days. Although Coimbatore and Kanchipuram have hotter summers, the city life is quite serene. These are some of the best places to buy a retirement home in. 4. Quality of life: More and more urban cities are gaining popularity as retirement destinations because of the promise of an urban lifestyle. Shopping malls, eateries, movie halls and other entertainment options are readily available in cities. Cities such as Chennai and Coimbatore have great beaches to offer along with a good city life. Bangalore has an amazing nightlife and a large number of restaurants and eating joints. Quality of healthcare: As you age, your medical needs tend to rise. When you are choosing a place to retire, this is one factor that you cannot ignore. When age catches up, it is important that the city to retire in has hospitals offering world-class health care facilities. Our retirement homes are located in some of the best cities in India that have good hospitals. Also, we have partnered with local hospitals to give our residents the best health care facilities. Emergency care, a doctor on call and 24×7 ambulance are available in the premises.

Many seniors who do not need round-the-clock medical care of a nursing home prefer to live as independently as possible. For them independent senior living communities provide the perfect lifestyle to help them make the most of their retirement years. Here are some reasons why active seniors think independent apartments for elderly are a wonderful place – 1. Safer living environment: From a safety standpoint, the move to independent apartments make sense. Firstly, they are architecturally designed to cater to different needs of senior residents. Second and most importantly, these living facilities are manned by security guards. Our retirement homes have villas and independent apartments for seniors. At Columbia Pacific Communities, we use cutting-edge security systems to ensure that the safety and security of our residents is not compromised. 2. Focus on fitness: As you grow old, the need for you to focus on your health increases. Many retirement homes offer fitness and physical therapy programs to keep seniors active. At our retirement homes, fitness programmes are conducted under the guidance of trained physiotherapists. The clubhouse has indoor and outdoor games, dedicated yoga and aerobics decks and a fully equipped gym. 3. Nutritious meal: After a certain age, cooking daily can be tedious but at the same time, everyone loves home-cooked food. At many retirement homes, the food menu is designed keeping the health of seniors in mind. At our retirement homes, if you choose an independent apartment, there’s provision for you to cook. You can also order in food at your apartment or share meals with others at our spacious dining hall. 4. Maintenance: free lifestyle: Most independent senior citizen apartments have a dedicated maintenance team that helps residents with household and maintenance chores, which keeps residents free from worry. If you are planning to move into one of our independent senior living communities, you’ll meet like-minded individuals of a similar age. When you reside together with people of a similar age it’s easy to form close-knit communities and friendship groups. There are several activities in our retirement homes that will keep you engaged and help you make new friends! To know more about how we promote positive ageing, visit here

Independent living is just like living in your own home but without worrying about household chores, upkeep of the house or even laundry. Modern day seniors want more out of their golden years than ever before. They want to pursue new hobbies, learn new skills, and some even want to start a new career – without the burdens of maintaining their homes or living a solitary life. For today’s generation of retirees, the best rated senior living communities are an ideal place to move into and enjoy an upbeat lifestyle. From tranquil villas and apartments to row houses, the best senior living communities like ours offer different housing types. We also offer a range of aspirational lifestyle features such as a wellness spa, swimming pool, gym, salon, restaurant, café and library. Our communities offer seniors ample opportunities to enjoy a fulfilling, socially active and an independent lifestyle at beautiful locations across the country. Here we discuss a few more benefits of staying at one of the independent senior living communities in Columbia Pacific Communities: ● There’s never a dull moment: There is a wide range of vibrant and engaging community programs that focus on the body, mind and soul. These programs help you meet like-minded residents and make new friends. At our senior living communities, we host movie screenings, music concerts, spiritual lectures and educational workshops regularly. ● You have free time to explore new hobbies: With no household chores to worry about, you can utilize your time to learn a new hobby. ● You can focus on your health: One of the best things about moving into one of our senior living communities is that we take a holistic approach towards the health of our residents. Days start with stretching exercises designed by trained physiotherapists. You can participate in periodic wellness workshops and awareness lectures and be more proactive about your health. All our senior living communities have gyms with cardiovascular and strength training equipment. Services offered at our independent senior living facilities ● Housekeeping and maintenance: The best rated senior living communities like ours relieve you of the burden of having to do everyday chores such as cooking, cleaning and home maintenance. We offer customised housekeeping help for specific tasks. We also have trained in-house team members to tend to any breakdown or regular maintenance, 24X7. ● Dining Services: As you get older, proper nutrition is vital for healthy ageing. We serve home-style, nutritious food. Our menu is designed keeping in mind the specific nutritional requirements of our residents. ● Concierge: Whether you need help with booking tickets at the nearest cinema hall or want to hire vehicles for your impromptu trips – our concierge services are always available to take care of your needs. ● Support with medical needs: We have partnered with the nearest hospitals for all your medical needs. Emergency care with 24X7 ambulance services is also available on the premises. Our independent senior living communities offer residents a safe and positive environment that delivers accommodation, lifestyle and wellbeing services. To know more about our services, visit here

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.