Articles - Know More About Senior Living retirement communities

With a growing number of senior adults living independently, it has become important to make sure that they are safe at home. Falls and burns are among the most common accidents involving seniors. Seniors living alone may also become victims of crime.  If you are a senior  living alone, here is what you need to do to stay safe at home: Improve bathroom safety: If you are noticing that you are facing trouble getting around independently, it is time to take important steps to fall-proof your home. Falls often occur in the bathroom because of water and slippery floors. Consider installing handholds near the shower, toilet, and wash basin. To make falls less likely, place an anti-slip safety mat in the bathroom.  Make your home fall-proof: To ensure that your house is easy to navigate, arrange furniture in a way that there is plenty of space to move around. Remove tripping hazards such as carpets, scattered objects, or slippery stairs. Rug anchors can also help prevent slips and trips. Ensure adequate lighting in every single room in the house. Stairs, entryways, and corridors should be especially well-lit.  Invest in a home security system: Whether you live in an apartment or a house, have a peephole installed on the front door. Do not open doors for strangers and ensure the doors are locked. When you hear a knock at the door, keep your phone handy in case you need to call for help. Never leave the door key under the mat. You can go the extra mile by installing a panic button in the house so that you can reach someone in case of an emergency.  Save emergency contacts on your phone: Emergency contacts are important for any senior who lives alone. To ensure safety and proper care in the event of an accident or injury, you should easily be able to call for help. Create a list of emergency contacts – this list should include family members, friends, medical emergency number, family doctor’s number, and the number of the nearest hospital.  As one of the leading senior living homes in Bangalore, the safety and security of our residents is our top priority. The 24×7 security personnel takes care of all entry and exit points at our gated senior living communities. Security measures such as CCTV cameras, security personnel, and access control entry for residents are in place. Each living space is equipped with a panic button so immediate assistance can be sought, in case of an emergency. To find out the average cost of 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.

As you age, your body must get the right nutrients to help you stay active and independent. Choosing healthier snacks over processed snacks is an important part of fulfilling your daily requirements of nutrients. Healthy snacks such as seeds, nuts, and fruits provide vitamins, minerals, and fibre, without adding too many calories, sugar, saturated fat, or salt to your diet. However, if you are struggling with finding the right kind of healthy snacks, check this useful read. As one of the leading senior living homes in Bangalore, we have curated a few healthy snacking tips for the elderly: Munch on seeds: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are all healthy alternatives to greasy chips. Great sources of fibre, these seeds are loaded with heart-healthy mono and poly-unsaturated fats, healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Also, they taste great and are ideal for satisfying your salt cravings in the evenings. Satisfy sweet cravings with fruits: Many people after having their meals long for something sweet. To live a healthy lifestyle, you don’t have to deny your sweet cravings. Substitute processed candies and chocolates and start getting your daily dose of sweet snacks from fresh fruits and dried nuts. Fruits such as apples, dates, fresh figs, pears, and pineapple are naturally sweet. Dried fruits such as blueberries, cranberries, cherries, and peaches make for great take-along sweet goodies.  Having a filling and healthy evening snack: An evening snack does not have to be unhealthy. An avocado or an egg toast is a great evening snack. You can also have raw or steamed vegetable sticks such as carrots, beetroot, broccoli with flavoured hummus or yoghurt dip.   Power up your mornings and evenings with smoothies: Blend your favourite fruits with yoghurt and your healthy snack is ready. Smoothies are an easy way to incorporate nutrient-rich fruit and protein-filled yoghurt and milk into your daily diet.  Senior living in Bangalore and healthy meals  At our senior living homes in Bangalore, we prioritise the health of our residents. It is for this reason we have a team of nutritionists who work on the menu to ensure that the nutritional needs of residents are met. At senior living homes in Bangalore, daily meals are delicious and nutritious. To know more about the services that we offer at our senior living homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Do you often find yourself looking for your phone? Or do you keep on forgetting whether you fed the dog or not? Or do you often forget where you parked your car? If so, it might be useful to read this article. As one of  the leading senior citizen homes in India, we have curated a list of spices and herbs that are considered to improve memory and alertness:   Turmeric: A frequently used herb in Indian kitchens, turmeric can boost mental health. In fact, animal research studies show that turmeric may even stave off Alzheimer’s disease. It has been found that curcumin in turmeric can help curb inflammation and fight oxidative stress – factors that may cause Alzheimer’s disease. In Indian curries, turmeric is a major ingredient. You can also add turmeric in smoothies to get more curcumin in your diet.  Amla: Primarily known for its immunity building properties, amla can also improve concentration and memory power. The phytonutrients and antioxidants in amla fight against the free radicals that are responsible for the functional decline in aged brains.  Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to improve brain function, boost memory in people suffering from early stages of memory loss, and prevent the damage of brain cells. Studies have found that ashwagandha promotes antioxidant activity which prevents the nerve cells from damage due to free radicals.  Ginseng: It is an adaptogen that helps you cope with the effects of stress. Some studies have  shown that the components in ginseng can protect the brain against damage due to free radicals. It also improves mental performance and has mood-boosting properties.  Note: Always consult your doctor before adding any herbal supplement to your health care regimen.  In addition to including herbs and spices in your diet, there are different ways to improve your brain health. You can start following a brain-healthy lifestyle that includes performing targeted brain exercises to increase your brain function, improve focus, and boost your memory. To find out the average monthly cost of staying in one of our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important at any age, especially in the later years of your life. Burning calories is key for keeping your weight in control. In addition to following a dedicated workout plan, here are 6 ways you can squeeze more activity into your day and burn calories:  Start your day right: Workouts are a great way to give your mornings an energy boost. There are many short (7 to 10 minutes) workouts that will help wake up your body and mind. As soon as you get up, doing a few yoga poses or doing 15 push-ups will help you start your day on an active note. Take walking breaks: Try to get up and go for short walks multiple times a day. The best part is you can do it any time, even inside your home. Whenever you find yourself sitting for too long, you can take a short walk.  Walk whenever you can: Whenever possible, give your car a break and incorporate short walks into your daily routine. You can also park far away from your destination so that you get to add a few extra steps to your errand.  Use a standing desk:  If you find yourself sitting for long hours, use a standing desk.   When you stand, you burn more calories than you do while sitting. Spending more time on your feet also reduces back pain associated with sitting.  Practise water aerobics:  Water aerobics is a great way to burn calories for seniors. The gentle resistance from the water helps build strength and increase muscle mass. It also helps you gain better balance and reduce your risk of falls.  End your day right: Exercising before you hit the bed can help you fall asleep faster and burn a few extra calories. Go for a walk after dinner or do some gentle yoga poses.  At our senior citizen homes in Chennai, there are facilities available for our residents to lead an active lifestyle. From fully equipped gyms to clubhouses with indoor games facilities, we promote a retirement life that is physically active and socially engaging. If you are looking for senior citizen homes and wish to know the monthly cost of our apartments, call us at +91 8884555554.

Every day there is so much happening around you that you feel like you are being pulled in different directions. Amid chaos, it is important to nourish your soul.  As one of the leading retirement communities in India, we share with you 6 everyday things you can do to re-energize your soul:  Start the day on a positive note: Setting the tone of the day in the morning can dramatically improve how you feel about the rest of your day. Instead of getting up and checking your phone, read something positive. Choose to read something that motivates or inspires you. You can also start your day with a gentle stretching exercise that will prepare your body and mind for the day. Take out time for yourself: Often people are so occupied that they cannot even hear themselves think. You need peace and quiet environment to access your thoughts. Spend at least 10 minutes to 15 minutes each day alone with yourself in a peaceful way.  Practise gratitude: Writing a gratitude journal is a simple, but powerful way to bring positivity to your life and nourish your soul. At first, you may find it difficult to write  but with practice, you will get into a routine. The easiest way to maintain a gratitude journal is to fix a time of the day for it. For instance, write when you are having your morning tea or before going to bed.   Spend time in nature: To spend time in nature, you do not have to plan a vacation to the hills. Just walking in the nearby park or sitting in your own backyard can bring a sense of calm and peace of mind.  Just looking at the trees and flowers, walking on the grass, and soaking up some sunshine can help you relax, de-stress and heal your body, mind, and spirit.  Be creative: Tapping into your creativity is a powerful way to cultivate and nourish your soul. There are many ways to be creative — you can write, paint, cook, do gardening, or photography. Engaging in creative pursuits daily helps you experience moments of joy and at the same time have fun.  Create moments of joy: Do things that make you smile and feel good, even if it is only for a few minutes. Your little joyous moments could be playing with your pet, listening to music, or talking to your children.   If you are looking for independent senior citizen apartments, explore our retirement communities in India. At our retirement communities, you will get to enjoy a worry-free lifestyle as daily and periodic cleaning, maintenance of individual living spaces and common areas, daily housekeeping, and 24×7 electrical and plumbing maintenance are all taken care of. Our retirement communities give you the perfect opportunity to enjoy your retirement years the way you wish to.

Chess demands total concentration, and this intense focus can be helpful to people of all ages. Seniors particularly can reap a wealth of benefits from playing it. As one of the leading retirement homes in Coimbatore, we share some of the benefits of playing chess for seniors:   Helps improve memory: Playing chess is an excellent mental exercise as it involves tactics and strategies. You need to remember the complex rules before you make a move. As the game demands your total attention, your brain gets trained to be more focused and attentive. This active participation of the brain is a great way to push cognitive functions to work optimally, boost memory and keep your brain energised.  Boosts critical thinking: Exercising the brain is a great way to keep it active. Since playing chess requires critical thinking, it stimulates the brain to function in a better way. If you play chess regularly, your brain gets its regular dose of workout that is good for your cognitive functions. Chess may help protect against cognitive impairment in an ageing brain. Offer great social opportunities: The nature of the game is such that you need a partner to play, which is a great way to socialise. There is nothing better than a good game to bond with friends, old and new. Friendships tend to get stronger if there is shared interest. You can teach your friend how to play if you are already familiar with the rules and moves. If you have friends who play chess, you can learn from them. Either way, it is a nice way to get along with people.  Fun way to relieve stress: Chess is a fun and interesting game because it always requires new strategies to master winning moves. While playing chess, you are completely immersed, and your brain thinks of nothing but the game. Hence, it is a great way to relax your mind and distract yourself from any ongoing life issues.  At our senior citizen homes in Coimbatore,  we have a clubhouse with facilities for indoor games such as chess, table tennis, and carrom. Our residents can play friendly matches and have a good time with their friends. If you are looking for senior citizen homes and wish to know the monthly cost of our apartments, call us at +91 8884555554.

Dancing is one of the most enjoyable ways of staying fit. There are countless physical and mental health benefits that dancing offers if you are ready to groove.  As one of the leading senior citizen homes in Bangalore, we share with you some of the benefits of dancing regularly: Improves strength, balance, and flexibility: Dance movements help your body gain increased flexibility. Dance is a great workout as it involves a lot of movements and balancing techniques. Choose a style that you are excited to learn. Dance moves also strengthen your muscles and joints which help in improving balance, reducing the risk of falls.  Reduces stress: Taking part in activities you love naturally reduces your stress levels. Dancing is a great stress buster  because when you dance, your body and mind feel good. Dancing can lift your spirits and improve your state of mind. As you focus on dance moves, your mind gets disconnected from all the worries of day-to-day life.   Improves heart health: Dancing is a good cardiovascular activity. By improving blood circulation, dancing helps in improving heart health. All dance forms make great cardio workouts as they involve moves that get your heart rate up.  Boosts social bonding: Dance classes offer you an excellent platform to meet new people. It is a great place to socialise with people with whom you share a common interest. You can also join online dance communities.  Helps to maintain a healthy weight: Dancing is an effective workout to maintain a healthy weight. Dance helps in burning a good number of calories, burn fat and tone your muscles. There are several dance workouts such as Zumba, Salsa, and Jazz that make daily exercises fun.  Looking for retirement homes in Whitefield, Bangalore? Explore The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences by Columbia Pacific Communities. The senior citizen home is perfect for those seeking serenity amidst city life. To know more about life at The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences, Budigere Cross, Bangalore call us at +91 8884555554.

The Greek philosopher Plato was right when he said, “In caring about the happiness of others, we find our own”. There is nothing like the warm feeling that you get when you have done something kind for others. According to a 2010 Harvard Business School survey of happiness in 136 countries, people who engaged in acts of kindness were happiest overall. Positive activities boost positive emotions, thoughts, and behaviour, in turn improving well-being. During a global pandemic, sending a meal to a friend or lending a sympathetic ear can make you happy and make a huge difference in someone’s day. As one of the leading senior living homes in Bangalore, we suggest a few ways in which you can participate in acts of kindness:  Gift a meal: Whether you are missing meeting friends over dinner or you want to take a small step to spread kindness, gifting somebody a meal is a great way to say that you appreciate them. You can gift a meal to a friend or a stranger and spread positive vibes.  Sew masks for those in need: Making a DIY face mask is not just an interesting stay at home activity that you can engage in without stepping out, but you can also gift them to people in need. Homemade fabric masks are not medical-grade but they can be effective if the right materials are used. There are several videos online that you may find helpful. Sew fabric masks for your neighbours, helpers, and other people, especially those who cannot work from home during the pandemic.  Lend a sympathetic ear: People of all ages are experiencing increased social isolation and loneliness. While the times are tough for everyone, calling or writing to a friend is a great way to make yourself feel happy and to remind them that they are not alone. Lend a friend or an acquaintance a sympathetic ear without any judgement. Often people wish to share what they are going through without expecting the other person to offer any solutions. Pick up the tab for a friend: Daily chores such as cleaning the house, doing laundry, or maintaining the lawn can be time-consuming. Many people may struggle to either find time to do the chores or may have limited means to outsource them. You can offer to pick the tab should they choose to outsource the chores. This will give your friends precious downtime that they need to re-energise themselves.