Articles - Know More About Senior Living retirement communities

When people reach a certain age, they often believe that they are too old to do certain things such as starting a new career after retirement or pursuing new hobbies. However, there are many senior adults who are defying that notion and not letting their age dictate their life choices. As one of the best senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, we bust some common ageing myths and challenge the long-standing assumptions associated with ageing: Too old to change careers: Did you know that actor Boman Irani debuted at the age of 44? Entrepreneur GR Gopinath launched his airlines Air Deccan when most people start planning for retirement. National shooting champion Chandro Tomar started shooting when she was in her 60s. The list goes on. We understand that making a new start at any age can be challenging. However, if you embrace everything as a new adventure, it’s true that anything is possible in life. Too old to exercise: If you follow Senior Olympics, you would know that age is not an obstacle when it comes to exercising. Seniors can incorporate exercise into their daily routine by understanding and accepting their body’s limitations. With proper planning, you choose exercises that suit you. For instance, those with joint pain can plan an exercise regimen that has less impact on their joints. Regular exercising helps ageing adults improve their mental and physical health – both are important for leading an independent life. Too old to start a hobby: Want to learn to play a musical instrument or learn a new language or learn salsa? Your age should not hold you back from discovering new hobbies and pursuing them. There have been studies that show learning new things can keep an aged person’s brain active and sharp. Too old to make new friends: Friends are important at all stages of life. As you grow old and there are fewer familial and professional commitments, you will need the company of like-minded friends. Volunteering, joining a club or taking group lessons can help you make new friends.  

There are many elderly people who struggle to sit still for long. If you are one among them, active meditation may be the right self-healing technique for you. You have all the benefits of meditation without sitting in one place. As one of the best senior living homes in Bangalore, we discuss some useful insights on active meditation: Meditation is not a chore: Anyone who has tried meditation before knows how difficult it can be to sit for long and gather thoughts. When you approach it as a chore, it becomes all the more difficult. It is for this reason that many elderly people are embracing meditation through movement. You can have a mini meditative session whenever you want. The key is to focus on what you are doing and what it feels like. Conscious breathing exercises, mindful walking and yoga are some great ways to still the mind while your body is moving. Active meditation helps to ease stress, improve sleep, and promote positive well-being. Practising active meditation can help you feel calmer and more focused. Reduce anxiety with mindful breathing: On an average, a human being breathes 24,000 times a day. But how many of us are consciously aware of those breaths? Poor breathing practices can lead to a host of health problems. High blood pressure, increased stress levels, suppressed immunity and increased susceptibility to illness are some of them. Taking just a few moments each day to practice deep breathing helps your mind and body to relax and also keeps a host of health problems at bay. If you are new to active meditation, conscious breathing is a great place to start with. You just need to take out 60 to 90 seconds to practise conscious breathing anywhere you want. But this isn’t the only form of active meditation you can do on the move, there are many more that we will discuss further. Mindful walking: Turn your daily walk into an intentional meditation session. To practise walking meditation, all you need to do is take deep breaths and walk. Be mindful of each breath and every step you take. Mindful walking offers many benefits, both physical and psychological. Yoga: Yoga is perhaps the most widely practised form of active meditation. It involves slow breathing that is in sync with the body’s movement. You can combine strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation. You can actively meditate no matter where you are. Being more mindful in the moment can help you find enjoyment in even the mundane things in life.

An important part of living well and ageing well is staying physically active. Exercise is good for everyone regardless of age, but for older adults, it offers a host of benefits like improving their cognitive functions, helping them maintain their independence and reducing the risk of falls. Regular exercising can reduce the risk of depression, obesity, lethargy, heart disease, insomnia, poor concentration, and a weakened immunity among seniors. Here are a few more reasons why low-impact exercises are good for seniors: Exercise is a great coping mechanism: Being active can boost feel-good endorphins otherwise known as happy hormones, thus, helping in managing stress. Be it a long walk, yoga, or several laps in the swimming pool, all these exercises encourage seniors to focus on their body’s movements. Helps to keep bones and muscles strong: Ageing can take its toll on the bones, joints and muscle. Conditions such as arthritis and osteoarthritis put senior adults at greater risk of falls. Bone and muscle-strengthening exercises like walking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis, lifting weights may help seniors slow down the rate of bone loss. Besides strengthening muscles and bones, these exercises help in improving posture, stability, and coordination, thus reducing the risk of falls and age-related health issues like joint pain or a hip fracture. Helps in maintaining a healthy weight: One of the most apparent benefits of regular exercise is that it aids in weight management. According to a published study from the London School of Economics, people are more likely to have a lower weight if they regularly engage in brisk walking than compared to high-intensity workout. Keeps them mentally fit: Memory loss and cognitive decline are some of the common complaints among seniors. However, seniors who engage in physical activities experience an increase in blood flow to areas of the brain associated with improved memory. A new study shows that exercise plays a significant role in combating changes in the brain associated with dementia. For senior adults, there are countless benefits of staying active. It is for this reason that days at our senior citizen homes in Bangalore and other cities start with stretching exercises. We also have several yoga classes and aerobics classes that make exercising a fun social event.

As people age, they often consider moving to independent senior living apartments. Earlier, the notion was that people move into senior living communities when they do not have a choice. But today more and more senior citizens are proactively moving to senior citizen homes because these communities offer an active lifestyle and a feeling of community, along with a wide range of support services and amenities. Before finding the right independent living community for your senior parents, first, determine if they are a good candidate for independent living. Ask yourself the following questions: Are they in good health? Do they feel bored at home? Are their household chores taking time away from doing what they love? Do they want a socially and physically active lifestyle? Are they worried about maintenance and repairs? Do they feel secure in their homes? If your elderly parents can care for themselves without assistance and wish to lead a maintenance-free lifestyle, they are the right candidates for independent living. When your parents move to a senior living community, they don’t have to worry about the following things: Preparing meals: As people age, their nutritional needs change but at the same time, they find it difficult to prepare meals. Cooking and cleaning up afterwards can be tedious while eating take-out is not feasible in the long run. Residents at senior living communities get to relish well-balanced food while enjoying the company of fellow residents. Home maintenance: Does the lawn need to be mowed? Is the mixer grinder in need of a repair? If your parents are tired of maintaining the house, it is a sign that they would love staying in independent living communities where housekeeping and maintenance services are offered. Social life: If your parents are feeling more and more isolated and their social circle has diminished, one of the best places to make new friends is at an independent living community. Not only will your parents get to meet others of their own age, but they will also get to be a part of a thriving community where there are different activities such as exercise classes, indoor games, music classes, movie nights, lunch, and dinner outings to look forward to.

Many seniors prefer to remain in their own homes as they age. However, this is not always possible because of health or difficulty in maintaining the house. As a result, we are seeing a growing number of older adults proactively choosing to move to senior citizen homes as these facilities offer an independent living and support services. Also, senior citizen homes are inherently social settings and thus, many residents see them as an opportunity to expand their social circle while having the comfort of their own homes. If you are planning to move to senior citizen homes, you can explore our communities in Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, and Puducherry. Here we discuss few tips to help you plan the move: Why do you want to move to a senior citizen home? Yard maintenance, personal security and other tasks often hold back seniors from spending their retirement years exactly how they’d like to. If you feel burdened by household chores, moving to a senior citizen home can be a good choice. Some of the features that are considered important in relocation decisions are: maintaining independence, access to medical facilities, security and community activities. Often people also look for luxury features like salon, spa, restaurants and swimming pools. If you know what features you want from senior citizen homes, it will be easy for you to find the right one. Where to live after retirement? While there are many senior citizen homes in India, it’s always a good idea to take the factors related to location into account – like the cost of living in a particular city, proximity to family and friends, weather and medical facilities. What is the cost of living? When you are planning to move to a senior citizen home, compare the amenities different communities are offering and the associated costs. Ask if the maintenance fees are payable weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Find out how often maintenance fees are revised and how much will it increase in the coming months. Are there on-site provisions if you fall ill? Many senior citizen homes offer a wide range of wellness services that make it easier for residents to stay healthy. However, on-site arrangements for medical emergencies is different from wellness services and is a must. Ask these questions when touring a facility, is there a doctor or a nurse available on the premises? Is there 24×7 ambulance available? Is there a panic button in rooms? If so, who responds to the calls? What does community life look like? From yoga classes and art workshops to charity work, senior citizen homes offer a variety of experiences that help residents spend their time in meaningful ways. Check the social groups and community activities when touring a facility.  

There are many reasons why seniors think of moving into a senior citizen home greater security, more companionship, maintenance-free lifestyle or easy access to support and healthcare. However, picking the right senior citizen home is very important as it’s a life-changing decision. If you are planning to move to a senior citizen home, it’s a good idea to see the facilities by yourself. There are many senior citizen homes in India that provide you with a guided tour. Here we discuss some important factors that you should consider when you visit these senior living facilities: What facilities are available? When you visit the senior living facilities, make sure they look neat and clean. Ask how often housekeeping is provided in the personal living space. Get full details on the types of maintenance provided and the estimated response time. Ask for all the details regarding the monthly cost. Our senior living facilities, our trained in-house 24/7 staff ensures that all maintenance and repair work are timely identified and fixed. This may include plumbing, air conditioning and electrical problems. Can family and friends stay over? People love to have their families and friends over. The rules of the community may differ from one senior living facility to another. At our senior living communities, not only can family and friends stay over, but residents can also host get-togethers and movie nights for them. How does the social calendar look? It’s a good idea to schedule your tour in such a way that you get to attend community events. Take a look at the community calendar of events. Social calendar at our senior citizen homes is packed with activities such as yoga classes, aerobics, music lessons, workshops, and cultural events. Are any meals provided? Leading senior living facilities like ours offer communal dining as well as doorstep food service. When visiting communities, it is important to discuss and learn about dining hours and food choices. Check out the dining hall – it is not only a great way to sample the food, but also opens up a great opportunity to meet some of the residents. What is security like? Safety and security are important factors to keep in mind. Make sure that the bathrooms are senior friendly and have grab bars at convenient locations. Check if the community gates are being manned by security personnel 24×7. Is there an emergency call system? Ask how residents contact the staff if they have an emergency. At our senior living facilities, there is a panic button in every dwelling unit so that immediate assistance can be sought without any delay. How close are medical facilities? As you are touring the facility, make sure you ask about the medical facilities available on the premises. Also, check how far the nearest hospital is. At our senior living facilities, on-site medical assistance is easily available, and we also have tie-ups with leading hospitals for round-the-clock medical care. How do residents move around within the community? If the senior living facility is spread over acres of land, then ask about intra-community mobility facilities. At our select senior citizen homes, buggies are available to help our residents move within the community.

Senior living communities are designed to help residents with day-to-day activities while promoting health and well-being. If you value your independence, but want to lead your retirement years staying socially engaged and physically active, our senior living communities will make you feel right at home, with the assistance you need to live an active and independent lifestyle. Here are some of our best senior living communities: Serene Rose, Coimbatore: Just 24 kms away from the airport, Serene Rose is a great place for you to enjoy a worry-free lifestyle. One of the best senior living communities in Coimbatore, Serene Rose offers residents a wealth of amenities and activities. A Wi-Fi enabled clubhouse, fully equipped gym, indoor game facilities and library with computers and internet access are among the wide range of amenities offered by the community. Our residents also enjoy planned activities created specifically for them such as yoga classes, music lessons etc. Serene Pelican, Puducherry: Serene Pelican is spread over 36 acres with a great selection of different types of villas. Surrounded by lush greenery and pristine lakes, the senior living community in Puducherry offers modern amenities and community activities that help our residents lead a peaceful and yet active life after retirement. Our residents enjoy amenities such as a well-maintained clubhouse, Wi-Fi enabled library with computer facilities, buggy service for intra-community mobility and a fully equipped gym. As there is a dedicated team of staff to take care of housekeeping, cooking and maintenance, you have all the time to do things that you love to. Serene Adinath, Chennai: One of the best senior living communities in Chennai, Serene Adinath offers residents the feel of city life and the comforts of a senior-friendly home. Within the community, you can enjoy amenities such as well-maintained common areas, clubhouse, gym and a library. Not just that, there is a community hall where you can host parties and get-togethers. The social calendar is full of engaging activities like music lessons, day outings and friendly matches among residents. It is the perfect setting for those looking for new experiences throughout their retirement years. Serene Kshetra, Kanchipuram: Located in the temple town of Kanchipuram, Serene Kshetra is designed to promote active retirement. In addition to owning an individual space, you will get to enjoy several amenities should you choose to move into this senior living community. You can spend your afternoons reading or playing a game of table tennis at the clubhouse. From doing yoga in the morning to sweating it out in the gym, there is more than one way to stay physically active here. Planned activities like music lessons and bhajan sessions ensure that our residents have a good time and every day there is something to look forward to. Looking for the best senior living communities for yourself or your parents? Great! Our communities are conveniently located close to local attractions and medical facilities.  We look forward to having you as a new resident. To book a tour, call us at +91 8884555554.

Exercising doesn’t need to be complicated. Something as simple as a daily walk can be quite beneficial. Walking is one of the least expensive and simple forms of exercise. People of all ages, including those who have never taken part in a physical activity can participate in walking. As the risk of injury is low, walking is ideal for seniors, even those with limited mobility. It is more convenient than other forms of exercise as it does not require any fitness level or skill. Walking in groups offers several advantages – such as motivation and support from other group members and opportunities to socialise. There are many benefits of starting a walking club in senior citizen housing projects: Beneficial for those with existing medical conditions: Walking in groups can be beneficial for older adults with chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, dementia, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. In several studies, it has been found that participants with health issues, have benefited from walking in groups as they have experienced a lower heart rate and cholesterol level. Banish boredom: Walking alone is indeed like meditation but at times it can get monotonous. Getting a few friends to walk with you can be more beneficial than you think. When you walk in groups, it gives you an opportunity to get to know new people. The camaraderie you experience in a walking club helps you stay on track with walking. You can also enter charity walking events as a group. Independent ageing: It can be difficult for some people to keep themselves motivated to walk alone. It could be because of limited mobility. Joining a walking club is a great idea for them. As people age, they may lose muscle and bone mass, causing them to be dependent on walking aids. Walking regularly can help them gain balance and reduce the risk of falls. How to get started? Identify 3-5 people who are interested in walking and can help promote and encourage the club. Ask the people you see walking every morning. Pick a time of the day and the specific days. Though it would be ideal for the club to meet every day, 2-3 times a week is also great. Pick a walking route or walk around a local park. Doing this is important as this would help you determine the amount of time spent walking. There are several health apps that help you keep track of steps walked or calories burnt. Keeping a track of daily progress can be quite motivating.

Social media is a great way for older adults to keep in touch with old friends and family. However, social media also has its risks: it is increasingly becoming a tool to scam people, especially the elders. Here are a few useful tips on personal safety on social media for seniors. If you are on social media to connect with old friends and family, here are some simple suggestions that will help keep you from being an easy target: Set a strong password: Use strong and unique passwords. Avoid sharing your passwords with anyone, unless you’ve asked someone you trust to manage your accounts. If you have a tendency of forgetting passwords, write them down on a piece of paper and keep it in a place which only you can access. Protecting your social media passwords will prevent an unscrupulous person from using your account to impersonate you and use your account for a scam. Make use of privacy settings to your advantage: Social media sites have settings that let you control who can see your posts. Some sites have extensive controls where you can choose which posts are visible to your friends or friends of friends or public. Before you post on your social media account, it’s good to get to know its privacy policies and settings. You can also adjust the privacy settings of your smartphones by restricting who can access your location, contacts and other personal information. Think before your post: Be selective about what you post on social media. Posts that reveal information like when you are going to be away from your home or when will you be home alone should be avoided. If you are going on a vacation, post the pictures once you are back. Avoid posting personal information such as bank account information, Aadhaar card number on social media. If another user asks for such information, leave the conversation as it may be a scam. Beware of scam messages: Avoid clicking on links that may say that you have won money or messages claiming to be a family member who is in trouble and needs money. Scammers may solicit money posing as a fake charity, especially after a natural disaster. If you are receiving messages from someone you don’t know, you should probably ignore it.

When it comes to outdoor exercises, the benefits are many. Outdoor exercise is a way to get your vitamin D through sunlight. Those suffering from vitamin D deficiency are at an increased risk of suffering from osteoporosis and heart disease. There are studies that indicate that exercising outdoors is likely to be more beneficial to mental health than indoor activities. Exercising in the natural environment can have positive effects on self-esteem and improve one’s mood. Senior citizen homes in India like ours understand the benefits of outdoor exercise and that’s why we offer a wide range of physical activities that can be performed outdoors, such as: Yoga classes: By practising yoga in the open, you can enjoy the beautiful weather and at the same time maintain an active lifestyle that promotes good physical and cognitive health. When practising outdoors, your mind has to focus differently than it would do in a studio or a room. The day at our senior living communities starts with yoga classes and stretching exercises. Outdoor meditation: Have you ever wondered why meditation retreats are located in the mountains or in the deep forest? Well, there are many benefits of meditating close to nature. Our senior citizen housing facilities are designed to help our residents enjoy lush green landscapes ideal for relaxed walks, meditation and socialising while enjoying the fresh air. Walking and jogging paths: Going for a daily walk offers significant mental and physical benefits. Walking outdoors improves mood and triggers positive feelings. Taking a walk outside also helps to declutter one’s mind and get new ideas. Keeping the safety of our residents in mind, we have senior-friendly walking and jogging paths. Aerobic decks: The importance of outdoor exercise and fitness cannot be emphasised enough. Those who have a patio, a deck, or even a driveway should take advantage of it and exercise in fresh air. Our select senior living communities have open aerobics decks so that our residents can exercise outdoors. Tips to exercise in the open Avoid the hottest part of the day. Exercise outside in the morning or evening. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the UV rays. Don’t forget to don your hat. Wear clothes that are loose and comfortable. If you are running or biking, avoid loose pants that could get tangled up in the pedals or your feet.