After retirement, pursuing painting can improve a senior’s overall health. Studies show that painting reduces anxiety and stress. One of the most influential psychologists of all times, Carl Jung, said that creating a mandala can be calming and healing. Many seniors after retirement wish to pick up the paint brush but do not know where to begin. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in India, we share a few useful tips to help seniors start painting:  Choose the right type of paint: Both watercolours and acrylics are great for painting. However, acrylic painting for beginners is an excellent choice – as acrylic dries fast and thus, if there are flaws in the work, they can be painted over.   Pick up basic supplies: Sketchbook, graphite drawing pencils, kneaded eraser, art pencil sharpener, watercolour or acrylic paint, and paint brushes are some basic supplies that can help seniors start with painting. One can start with beginner supplies and then upgrade later on. Buying a colour wheel is also a good idea as it will give seniors an idea on how to mix primary colours to make secondary and tertiary colours.  Join a class: Joining a painting class is a great way to learn the basics of painting and meet like-minded people. Learning with others, whether with people of the same age or young, can help seniors drop their apprehensions and start painting.  Make painting a habit: Just like writing, pottery, or playing a musical instrument, painting too needs practice. For that, seniors have to make painting a part of their daily routine. Seniors can choose the most relaxing time of the day — it could be early mornings or late evenings —and start painting everyday things that inspire them.  Pursue your hobbies after retirement at our senior citizen homes in India  Nurturing one’s creative soul is essential for positive ageing. At our retirement communities, residents are encouraged to pursue creative activities. We host hobby classes for our residents where they share their love for painting, art, music, and dance with other like-minded residents. Call us +91 8884555554 to know more about our retirement communities and the amenities offered.

Digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhoea, and bloating can become increasingly common with age. It is natural for the production of the digestive enzymes to reduce with age. However, additional problems such as inadequate diet or an unhealthy diet can wreak havoc on the digestive system. By avoiding foods that are not gut-friendly, seniors can improve their digestive health and stay away from stomach problems. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in India, we share with you some of the worst foods for your gut:   Fried foods: French fries, deep-fried chicken, chips, samosas, and other fried foods are difficult to digest as they are low in fibre. Often they either move too quickly through the body, leading to diarrhoea, or stay in the digestive tract too long, causing bloating. If you are suffering from indigestion, avoid fried foods because they tend to slow down digestion. Red meat: Meat, especially red meat, is difficult to digest. They stay in the digestive system for too long and can cause constipation if you are dehydrated. Fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, are easily digested and move through the digestive system fast.  Processed foods: Breakfast cereals, cheese, tinned vegetables, chips, cakes, and biscuits are all processed foods. They contain additives and high amounts of salt and sugar that adversely affect the gut microbiome. Low in fibre and nutrition, processed foods can change the gut microbiota and lead to gut inflammation. Alcoholic beverages: Drinking alcohol is not just bad for the liver but also bad for gut health.  Drinking alcoholic beverages in an uncontrolled manner can disrupt the makeup of the gut microbiome, leading to gut problems. According to research, drinking alcohol increases the symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Also, alcoholic beverages are diuretic and can cause constipation.  At our retirement communities in India, the health of our residents is our top priority. This is why we have a team of nutritionists who work on the menu to ensure that the nutritional needs of our residents are met. Not just that, trained and dedicated F&B team ensures that the food is prepared in hygienic conditions. Regular meetings are held with the residents and F&B team to accommodate residents’ feedback. To know more about the services that we offer at our senior citizen homes in India, call us at +91 8884555554.

Many seniors are giving retirement a new meaning by defying age constraints and social expectations. A few are pursuing passions that bring them happiness and a sense of fulfillment, while others are volunteering to make a positive impact on society. As one of the leading retirement communities in India,  we share with you the life stories of five inspiring seniors who have transformed not just their own lives but that of others too:     Fauja Singh: At 110, Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathoner, continues to inspire youngsters and seniors. It was at the age of 84 that Singh returned to his passion for running. He has set many world records and has been felicitated by the World Book of Records, London. He is the perfect example of people who are never too old to start a new dream. Though he has retired from competitive running, he continues to run for health and charity even today. John B. Goodenough: Goodenough was awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering role in developing lithium-ion batteries. At the age of 97, he became the oldest person ever conferred with a Nobel Prize. His lithium-ion batteries power everything from laptops to smartphones. He was told that most physicists make their major discoveries long before they hit middle age, but went on to defy that notion.  Gogo: For many decades, Priscilla Sitienei, popularly known as Gogo (grandmother) has helped expectant women deliver babies. But she came to the limelight in 2011 when she joined primary school at the age of 90. The whole idea behind her going to school was to encourage young girls to not drop out. She wanted to motivate young girls and especially her granddaughter to study.  Grandma Moses: When people think about starting an art career, it is usually when they are young. But this belief was challenged by Anna Moses, better known as Grandma Moses. She began painting at the age of 78. Her works have been shown and sold worldwide, including in museums, and have been merchandised too. Her autobiography has won numerous awards and she even held two honorary doctoral degrees. Norman Maclean: After his retirement in 1973, Maclean’s children encouraged him to pen down the stories he liked to tell. The result of his writing was his first and only novel, the 1976 best-selling book, A River Runs Through It. The book received widespread acclaim upon its publication and was even nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Letters in 1977. Just like these inspiring individuals, many residents in our retirement communities in India have found their passion in painting, singing, dancing, and photography after retirement. If you are looking for the best place to buy a retirement home, explore our communities that help seniors lead physically and socially active lifestyles. To know more, call us at +91 88845 55554.

The holidays are a perfect time for family get-togethers, moments of connection, and making new memories. They offer the perfect opportunity to find moments of joy with your parents. As one of the leading retirement communities in India, we share with you some useful tips that will help you bond with your parents this holiday season:   Make them feel included: Help your parents become involved in the festivities. Ask their suggestions when selecting the menu and decor items for the holidays. Involving them in activities will get them excited about the holiday season and feel needed.  Help them get ready: During the holiday season, everybody wants to look good. Contact their salon and book hair appointments and beauty treatments for them or help them shop outfits for the holidays. Spend time with them looking at family photos: Take a look at the photo albums together and cherish those beautiful memories.  Revive old traditions: Family traditions hold values and are passed down from one generation to the next. However, in today’s busy lifestyle, many family traditions get buried. This holiday season, revive old traditions and enjoy performing them with your parents. Watch an old movie together: There is nothing like watching old films with your parents. Look for the movies that you watched with your parents when you were younger. You can even invite other family members for the movie night and share a laugh or two while watching the movie.  Give them a surprise visit: If your parents live in a retirement home, surprise them by visiting. You can even throw them a party. Many modern retirement homes in India have banquet halls where you can throw a party for your parents.     Looking for the best place to buy a retirement home?     If you or your loved ones are looking for retirement homes in India, explore our retirement communities in India. Our independent senior living communities let seniors start a new chapter in life and enjoy a worry-free lifestyle. Housekeeping, laundry service, and plumbing and electrical maintenance work are all taken care of by our experienced staff. A well-equipped medical centre and 24×7 ambulance is available when needed. To know more about our senior living communities in India, call us at +91 8884555554.

“Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colours, there are only so many flavours—it is how you combine them that sets you apart.” – Wolfgang Puck, Michelin Star chef    Cooking is an emotionally rewarding experience for many seniors. If you, like many seniors, love spending time in the kitchen, joining cooking classes is a great idea to spend your time learning new delicacies. As one of the leading retirement communities in India, we share with you some of the benefits of joining cooking classes: 1. New skill and knowledge: Some seniors join cooking classes to enhance their skills and learn to cook new delicacies. These days, many cooking classes are centred around interesting themes. You can join a class that focuses on restaurant style cooking, nutritious cooking, gluten-free cooking, or any other theme that piques your interest.    2. Happy memories: Food is an emotional experience as it can trigger positive memories of sharing and preparing meals with family and friends. Research has shown that smell-induced memories are more emotional than memories evoked by other sensory stimuli, such as visual or verbal. Cooking classes help seniors prepare traditional cuisines that they have grown up eating and, in the process, evoke emotional recollections, feelings, and thoughts.   3. Social bonding: Across cultures, cooking is a social activity. Family members cooking together and spending time together in the kitchen were once a common sight. However, in today’s busy times, families cooking together has become a rare sight. A cooking class gives seniors an opportunity to meet people from different cultures and cook together while learning about different cuisines.    4. Healthy cooking: By joining a cooking class, seniors can learn ways to give a healthy twist to an otherwise indulgent dish. This emphasis on healthy cooking is a great way to encourage seniors to eat nutrient-rich food. Cooking classes provide plenty of information and inspiration about new ways to create healthy meals.    Food is an important part of social connection  At our retirement communities in India, we provide healthy and delicious meals to our residents and encourage them to dine together. Dining halls at our communities are a great place for residents to catch up with each other while enjoying nutritious meals. To know more about our retirement homes and the facilities offered, call us at +91 8884555554.

Journey towards retirement is a long one and often has a few twists and turns along the way. If you are planning for retirement, it is normal for you to have questions. As one of the leading retirement communities in India, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about retirement:  Question 1: When can I retire?    Answer: The retirement age in India is 60 years for both men and women. However, if you wish to retire early, ensure that you are financially secure for the later years. Other factors to take into consideration before making the decision includes: Career goals Health Family responsibilities Spouse’s plans and goals  Retirement lifestyle  Question 2: How much money do I need to retire?    Answer: Many people wrongly assume  that once they have retired, there won’t be many expenses. However, in many cases it is the other way around. With more time in hand, you will want to spend more on travel, shopping, new hobbies, charities, and leisure activities.  Also, you must think about your healthcare expenses as they tend to increase as you age. You can check our blog on 6 tips for a successful retirement.  Question 3: How to spend time during retirement years?    Answer: With no professional commitments, leisure time can be daunting if you do not plan out your daily activities. Prepare an organised schedule to spend your time doing things you love the most. You can pursue new hobbies, learn a new language, travel the world, start a business, start a blog, or even get a part-time job.  If you are looking for some inspiration, you may find our blog on 15 Meaningful Things to Do After Retirement worth a read.  Question 4: Is moving into a retirement community a good idea?    Answer:  From increased sense of community and support to having instant access to health care services – there are several benefits of living in a retirement community. You can check this informative read on the benefits of moving to a senior living community.    Question 5: Can I rent or buy an apartment in a senior living community?   Answer:  You can rent or own a house at any of our retirement communities in India.  Question 6: How is life at the senior living communities operated by Columbia Pacific Communities?     Answer: In our communities, residents enjoy a wide range of services – from periodic housekeeping and laundry services to preventive maintenance for electrical and plumbing work. Our F&B team serves delicious, well balanced and nutritious meals to our residents daily. And the social calendar ensures that our residents have something to look forward to every day. Also, there are several amenities such as swimming pool, well equipped gym, yoga room, library, and banquet hall. Our senior living communities in India have partnered with nearby hospitals to ensure that our residents get round-the-clock medical care. Check more details about our services here   Looking for retirement communities in India?   If you are planning to move to a retirement community, we can help you find the perfect property where you can spend your retirement years in a friendly and considerate community. To know the cost of senior living communities, call us at +91 8884555554. 

Exercising is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy in your golden years. However, if you are not exercising properly, you could be hurting your body. As one of the senior living communities in India offering facilities that encourage an active retirement life, we have curated a list of common workout mistakes.  Whether you are already physically active or embarking on an exercise regimen, you should be mindful of the following mistakes:   Skipping warm-ups: If you want to reduce injury and make your workouts more effective, you need to warm up your muscles before exercising. Many people skip the warm-up because they think it is not important. However, a short warm-up session prepares the joints and muscles for your exercises. A good warm-up should last for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Knee lifts, knee bends, and shoulder rolls are some common warm-up exercises that can get your body ready for the workout session.  Improper posture: Regular physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. But performing an exercise incorrectly can make the workout less effective. It can do more harm than good. If you are new to yoga or lifting weights, learn under the guidance of a  fitness trainer or a coach to ensure that you are doing the exercises correctly. Overstraining: Many people think that the more they work out, the better it is for them. Well, it is not always the case. If you over-exercise, cortisol, the stress hormone secreted by the adrenal gland, increases in the body. Performing high-intensity exercise for over 1 hour a day can have a negative effect and lead to feelings of stress and depression.  Sticking to the same old workout routine: It is good to be consistent when it comes to your approach towards your physical health. However, this does not mean doing the same activity every day. Doing the same workout every day can lead to burnout or even injury. Change your workout routine frequently to avoid a workout plateau. Changing your workout routine regularly helps your body to continuously adapt. Not cooling down: Cooling down after a workout is as important as warming up.  When you exercise, your body temperature rises, and your heart rate elevates. Stopping suddenly after your workout could make you feel dizzy, sick, and light-headed. Stretching is a great way to cool down.   Senior living in India: promoting positive and active ageing  All our retirement homes are designed to help our residents lead a physically active life. We have fully equipped gyms and indoor games facilities so that our residents can find activities that meet their fitness levels and needs.To know more about our retirement home facilities, call us at +91 8884555554.

Driving gives people a sense of freedom. However, various physical issues linked to ageing can take their toll on a senior’s driving ability. As  one of the leading retirement communities in India, we have curated safe driving tips for seniors: Get regular medical checkups done  Seniors must consult a doctor to ensure they are fit to drive. They should talk with a doctor about their ailments and the medications they are currently prescribed. Seniors need to ensure that their corrective lenses are current. Also, seniors should get their hearing checked annually. If they need hearing aids, they must wear them while driving. Certain medications may have side effects such as drowsiness and nausea. Seniors should not drive after taking such medications.  Mobile phones should be on silent mode </strong Regardless of age, people get distracted by mobile phones while driving. Seniors must keep their mobile phones on silent mode to prevent distraction while  driving. In case of confusion regarding driving directions, seniors should use GPS navigation systems. However, it should be used carefully, seniors should pull over to check the GPS rather than using the phone while driving. Understand physical limitations and adjust the driving schedule  Seniors should understand their physical limitations and work around them to ensure that they are driving safely and comfortably. Those who struggle with night driving should schedule driving for daytime only. Those who are not comfortable with heavy vehicles should avoid them.  Use driving aids, if needed Certain accessories can make it easier for seniors to drive safely. Key extenders, brake, and accelerator hand controls for the steering wheel help make driving more convenient. Seniors can make use of these aids.  Adjust your car Wearing a seatbelt is a prerequisite for driving. Seniors should adjust their seat belts as per their comfort level to prevent injury and have an improved view while driving. It is also important to  adjust the mirrors for a clear view. Windows should be kept clear and clean, inside and out. Also, talking to co-passengers while driving should be limited as much as possible as it can draw their mind away from the task at hand. It is also important to ensure that the car is safe to drive in adverse weather conditions.  Drive during ideal conditions If a senior has an issue with taking left turns and the route requires multiple left turns, it is better to choose a different route. If seniors find driving at rush hours a problem, they should opt for either less busy routes or drive at a time that is convenient to them. Explore our retirement communities in India that help you enjoy your retirement your way. With fitness facilities on the premises and an active social calendar, there is a lot to look forward to every day within the community.  To know the cost of senior living communities, calls us at  +91 8884555554. Watch this space to read more such articles!

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.

There is nothing like the joy of having a pet, be it a dog, a cat or a bird. They show you affection, make you laugh and comfort you when you are sick. No matter what, pets are always a source of joy that can help keep the feeling of isolation at bay. We share with you a few insights on the surprising health benefits of owning a pet:  A healthy heart: One of the many benefits of having a pet is lower blood pressure which is good for your cardiovascular health. Several studies suggest that those who own dogs have a lower blood pressure than non-owners. This could be because pets help their owners to calm down. Moreover, dog owners tend to get more exercise than people who don’t have dogs. According to a study, owning a dog reduced the risk of death for heart attack and stroke survivors.  A healthy weight: All breeds of dog need regular and daily walks to stay happy and healthy. Therefore, a study has found that dog owners who regularly walked their dogs were more physically active and less likely to be obese than those who didn’t own or walk a dog. Dog walking may be a good way for seniors to stay active and maintain their overall health.  Keep stress at bay: Petting your cat or dog feels good. Playing with your pet or just cuddling them can have soothing effects on your mind. Interacting with pets help decrease levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and lower blood pressure. By providing you company and love, pets help you keep anxiety, depression and stress at bay.  Keep you socially connected: Pets are social magnets. They provide their owners with more than companionship. They help create human-to-human friendships and social support, both of which are good for long-term health. Whether you are walking them down the street or taking them to a veterinarian, pets help you connect with other people. Walking a pet leads to routine conversations with neighbours, other pet walkers or even strangers. Having a pet is a great way to meet new people and this can be helpful for those who are not too good at small talk.  If you are looking for independent senior living apartments, explore our retirement communities in India that offer you a worry-free lifestyle so that you have more time to spend your golden years doing things you enjoy the most.