My Experiences in a Retirement Community

[Nacchinarkiniyan]

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The Retirement Community is a quiet,secure,gated community created close to nature, blending rural ambiance with modern amenities and various services at affordable rates. An ideal abode for people who prefer an active life without dust, sound and pollution of the cities. It offers a choice of privacy and community living on rental or purchase basis.

It has a Herbal Garden with a variety of medicinal plants for sugar, joint pain, fever, insect bites, asthma etc.

Most of the Retirement communities have an arrangement for a canteen. In most of these the canteen is compulsory and you are not allowed to cook at home. But the community I am in allows people to cook.

You may wonder why people prefer to cook on their own here when they have come to get away from the drudgery of cooking. The problem is that people do not like to change their food habit of decades.

The menu for lunch is as under:

Chapathi
Rice
Sambar/Vathal Kuzhambu/Mor Kuzhambu
Poriyal
Kuttu
Curd
Pickle
Appalam
Thokaiyal

But you find some of the residents complaining about the food. I do not think The food cooked by my wife in my house was any better. It never had this many items.

The food here consists of two vegetables. As I said earlier "The problem is that people do not like to change their food habit of decades." in fact we liked the food and that is one of the main reasons for our staying here.

The vegetables are all organic and we get medicinal kuttu also prepared from different Keerais.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

You could post a scan of the magazine for information of the members.

Sir,

Here is the link.
Old age homes in and around chennai | Retirement Homes


Courtesy: homes.oldisgoldstore.com

 

[Naina_Marbus]

Dear Naina Sir,

I think Krish Sir might have missed to note the deletion of his previous post, with red ink, by the moderator!

i have deleted one and edited another. You could perhaps follow up with some editing as well, if you prefer.

 

[Naina_Marbus]

I think naina marbus ji can delete his post quoting my post which has already been moderated.

Done.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Sir,

What is the arrangement for medical aid, I mean health? Since most of the inmates are aged, health is an important aspect to be taken care of. Hope there is a clinic/nursing home either inside or nearby with a Doctor round the clock.

 

[Raji Ram]

i have deleted one and edited another. You could perhaps follow up with some editing as well, if you prefer.

Me too, Sir. Edited one and deleted another.

 

[Raji Ram]

... Here is the link. Old age homes in and around chennai | Retirement Homes

Dear Balu Sir,

The following link has reviews also and will be more useful - painstakingly prepared by the Probus Club of Chennai.

Retirement Homes | Reviews of retirement communities

 

[Raji Ram]

I agree with Nachi Sir. The main point to be noted is that the mess in the retirement resort we choose should be taste friendly!

Those who are used to yummy food prepared by the spouse, who is an expert cook, might find the mess food not so good! :sad:

One of Ram's mAmAs has this problem because mAmi was an excellent cook and he compares his mess food with 'that' taste!!

Also, I know a few persons who have very limited choice of vegetables and fruits! They will start grumbling after some time.

So... for those who can enjoy any food with moderate taste will have a comfortable life. Women will be more peaceful since they

don't have the drudgery of cooking even many years after their retirement age!

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

Holding back the retirement home experience builds up curiosity among other members who may opt for such life.People who have first hand experience should break the suspense at the earliest and make others understand what it is all about.

 

[P.J.]

Senior Citizens with Food Allergy to some vegetables, spices, Nuts, may find it hard to stay in any Senior citizen retirement home where self cooking is not allowed.

Going to canteen on hearing the Bell sound may not be a good idea for many senior citizens.

Any retirement community following any Guru, and doing daily, weekly Bhjans may not be suitable to many senior citizens.

senior widowed women may be able to live and adjust with any relative,live in senior citizen community, but senior single male citizen would find it very hard to live anywhere !!!

 

[Raji Ram]

You are correct, P J Sir!

'Shakthi illaiyEl Shivam illai'!! :thumb:

 

[krish44]

Done.

thanks naina marbusji for taking the trouble.

regards

 

[krish44]

Me too, Sir. Edited one and deleted another.

RRji
you deserve double thanks.

regards

 

[krish44]

Senior Citizens with Food Allergy to some vegetables, spices, Nuts, may find it hard to stay in any Senior citizen retirement home where self cooking is not allowed.

Going to canteen on hearing the Bell sound may not be a good idea for many senior citizens.

Any retirement community following any Guru, and doing daily, weekly Bhjans may not be suitable to many senior citizens.

senior widowed women may be able to live and adjust with any relative,live in senior citizen community, but senior single male citizen would find it very hard to live anywhere !!!

One realises that food preferances may not be fully met.one can compromise to some extent

having to take food on hearing the sound of a bell can put off most.

having to participate in pujas ,rituals or following guru etc may not make most senior citizens heart

racing.

there are homes which organise picnics, sports, adventure trips, visits to temples, historical monuments etc to engage seniors.

some have music or dance programs.

all festivals need to get celebrated with gusto.

there are homes which cater to these interests.

male citizen who cannot manage without spouses can find companions if possible.

renukaji will agree with me regarding the last sentence.

 

[krish44]

I agree with Nachi Sir. The main point to be noted is that the mess in the retirement resort we choose should be taste friendly!

Those who are used to yummy food prepared by the spouse, who is an expert cook, might find the mess food not so good! :sad:

One of Ram's mAmAs has this problem because mAmi was an excellent cook and he compares his mess food with 'that' taste!!

Also, I know a few persons who have very limited choice of vegetables and fruits! They will start grumbling after some time.

So... for those who can enjoy any food with moderate taste will have a comfortable life. Women will be more peaceful since they

don't have the drudgery of cooking even many years after their retirement age!

It would be a good idea if men can become comfortable with cooking and feeding themselves.

those men who marry late develop some degree of self sufficiency.

these days one gets ready to cook dishes.

with very little effort one could turn out a meal.

I have a genuine wish.

there are lot of ladies belonging to castes other than brahmin and are poor.

they would be very happy to cook for men for a small price.

my cook and domestic help are not brahmins.

they dress well and are clean [I ensure that] and I am very happy with the food they make for me.

they require to be trained a bit so that they make good food to our taste . why not try this?

 

[Raji Ram]

........... male citizen who cannot manage without spouses can find companions if possible. ........

:lol: But who will marry these oldies?

Look at all the unmarried ambis and think it over!!

 

[Raji Ram]

It would be a good idea if men can become comfortable with cooking and feeding themselves..........

Dear Krish Sir,

As far as I know, only those who are not very particular about super tasty food are willing to learn some cooking! Those with

nAlu muzham nAkku can never learn cooking and only go about finding fault with the taste of other's food. Actually that mAmA

about whom I mentioned was living in a senior resort at Coimbatore for a few years and whenever he visits Sing. Chennai, I used
to escort him to his relatives' houses. He will choose ONLY those who prepare yummy food to visit during lunch / dinner time! :decision:

 

[krish44]

Dear Krish Sir,

As far as I know, only those who are not very particular about super tasty food are willing to learn some cooking! Those with

nAlu muzham nAkku can never learn cooking and only go about finding fault with the taste of other's food. Actually that mAmA

about whom I mentioned was living in a senior resort at Coimbatore for a few years and whenever he visits Sing. Chennai, I used
to escort him to his relatives' houses. He will choose ONLY those who prepare yummy food to visit during lunch / dinner time! :decision:

in chennai there are some food suppliers who supply to brahmin houses moderate tasty food with

less spice to suit senior citizens.

this is available in colonies such as west mambalam, nanganallur, mylapore ,kilpauk and other

colonies with a lot of brahmin presence. they are pretty good and economical than cooking home for 2 persons and no hassles for buying vegetables ,grains or gas. many senior citizen opt for it

some pensioners . get 1 unit to share for 2 or recycle at night to avoid ordering for the night.

it is excellent economics. I have tried all these in chennai in 3 localities.also I have also have

experience of north indian food supply.I have tried NB cooks also for home cooking. I can certify

the are as good as brahmin cooks. the issue of food is very easy to manage in chennai.

the choice is between compromising on naalu muzham nakku of men putting up with acid tongue of wife and

just OK food for men from a caterar of food.

 

[vgane]

Cooking food after the age of 70 for women is tough..It is better to take food supplied by the various canteens..However we found that availability of good canteens in places like Saligramam is a big put off..We tried several caterers for our parents..The first day it is fine..Later what we get is Sambhar without paruppu, Rasam like water and Mor Kozhambu like kazhu neer..It gets really frustrating..Can anyone suggest a good caterer who will do home delivery in Saligramam?

 

[P.J.]

Cooking food after the age of 70 for women is tough..It is better to take food supplied by the various canteens..However we found that availability of good canteens in places like Saligramam is a big put off..We tried several caterers for our parents..The first day it is fine..Later what we get is Sambhar without paruppu, Rasam like water and Mor Kozhambu like kazhu neer..It gets really frustrating..Can anyone suggest a good caterer who will do home delivery in Saligramam?

you are right vgane Sir

it is because those who supply food , want to make fast money, compromising quality.

Many poor Brahmins who start home delivery of food , do not maintain quality; they take advance money for a month citing paucity of funds, and once you give, you are done!!

I had a very bad experience once.

 

[Raji Ram]

Dear Ganesh Sir,

I live in West K K Nagar and if I leave home on a short vacation, Ram has to depend only on hotel food, if his sister living

nearby is busy! Mylapore and Mambalam areas are much better off with food suppliers.

 

[vgane]

you are right vgane Sir

it is because those who supply food , want to make fast money, compromising quality.

Many poor Brahmins who start home delivery of food , do not maintain quality; they take advance money for a month citing paucity of funds, and once you give, you are done!!

I had a very bad experience once.

PJ Sir,

In fact we were open to pay a higher price for quality food..But in vain

 

[vgane]

Dear Ganesh Sir,

I live in West K K Nagar and if I leave home on a short vacation, Ram has to depend only on hotel food, if his sister living

nearby is busy! Mylapore and Mambalam areas are much better off with food suppliers.

Raji Madam,

But these people do not visit Saligramam...Probably one of the quality caterers from West Mambaklam should open a branch in Saligramam...He will get a good business

 

[mkrishna100]

PK Sir,

In fact we were open to pay a higher price for quality food..But in vain

Vgane

I understand your situation but the problem in Chennai ,India is quality is a very rare quality especially when it comes to these sort of Caterers . Today there is a huge demand for good home cooked food in Chennai and the supply demand mismatch is very wide and unfortunately to meet this demand lot of fly by night cooks and caterers have emerged and people have to resort to them as they have no other choice .Except for a few most of them supply food that is poor in quality as well as poor in service and they know for sure that since many of the clients are old people they have no other option but to put with that .I really do not know what is the solution for the same .But there are some good caterers also but I doubt whether you get the same in Saligramam .If I find any such person I will share the same here .

 

[renuka]

:lol: But who will marry these oldies?

Dear RR ji,

Never underestimate the power of a senior citizen!LOL