Colonel (Veteran) A Sridharan, VSM Pioneer & Consultant in Senior Care Concept of Active Life Covai Property Centre (India) Pvt Ltd has been involved in creating quality homes for senior citizens in Coimbatore since 2004. Colonel (Veteran) Achal Sridharan, VSM is the Managing Director. He is the pioneer and the author of Active Life concept lifestyle for senior citizens in their Silver Years in India. Covai Property Centre (India) Pvt Ltd is popularly known in retirement communities as COVAI and Colonel Achal Sridharan is known as Colonel. Colonel is also the brain behind creation of Serene Retirement Communities in Coimbatore, Pondicherry, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kanchipuram. He has since resigned from the Board of Serene. Team Covai is involved in spreading the concept evolved by him across India so that many senior citizens can benefit and enjoy life, as it should be since age is not a disease but a natural process! Covai and Colonel are synonymous with retirement communities in India Based on the experience gained in creating and looking after the senior citizens in Soundaryam, Santhosham and Shenbhagam Comfort and Retirement Homes in Coimbatore since 2004, Colonel has evolved a unique concept life for the senior citizens, where they get quality care and service beyond compare and live in the company of like-minded people with total group cohesion. Covai Retirement Communities is unique in that the senior citizens lead Active Life without any worries with the security of guaranteed quality care until the very end. These are not Old Age Homes but are gated communities with class and unmatched élan that provide incomparable quality of life. Covai Living Philosophy Freedom through Independence Facilitate avenues and opportunities to lead Active Life Give what the Senior Citizens Need and, not ask them to take what is given Dignity & Respect Opportunities for Social Interaction Quality infrastructure & Amenities Design of dwellings to meet the needs of Senior Citizens Quality Care and Support Services in various Stages Group Cohesion Spiritual and Religious Activities without any compulsion Entertainment & Group Activities like picnics, tours and travels Lead Life not in isolation but as part of the a like-minded Group Emphasis on Services, Care and Comfort Avenues to use talent of Senior Citizens – Knowledge Economy Senior living is not to live in isolation but as part of a larger like minded group. Colonel (Veteran) A Sridharan, VSM Pioneer & Consultant in Senior Care Covai Living Concept Ageing is a natural process and life must be enjoyed until the very end Senior Care is not an extension of real estate project, but a commitment to provide quality service, care and passion to look after senior citizens Emphasis is on providing quality service until the very end with the security of guaranteed care during Independent, Assisted and Continuous Care Stage of life of Senior Citizens Minimum age to be part of the community is 50 years Investment has no age limit and Ownership of property is freehold Top Class Amenities and infrastructure with eco-friendly features, including Green building certification by IGBC Design of dwellings meant for senior care including Special Building Codes evolved by Covai Care and services with passion and compassion with committed, dedicated, well trained staff Life style suited to senior citizens and with the aim to facilitate active life Model provides financial security to the residents in different stages of life Model fills the void between independence and dependence Covai Living Concept gives terrific comfort level to the children, who can lead their lives in the security of thought that their parents are well taken care of in their absence How to facilitate Quality Active Life? Enforce Community Guidelines for the benefit of the owners as well as the residents. The guidelines are designed to create an environment in which the residents, management and service staff live as a part of a large joint family with group cohesion. It facilitates maximum enjoyment of life in the community and the services provided. Regulation of the community guidelines will be uniformly enforced, with a notice of violation and applicable penalty. Adherence to these guidelines will preserve and protect the property value, assets of the Community and also ensure a serene, safe and amicable environment for the elders, children and guests of the Community Instill faith is the seniors that being old is not a disease but a natural process of ageing. Until the elder citizens reach the Assisted Care stage or the Nursing stage, they need to be usefully engaged Create avenues to tap talent and experience. To provide opportunities which can either be with some honorarium or as social service for the cause of the community Senior living offers quality care and support services during various stages of life. Colonel (Veteran) A Sridharan, VSM Pioneer & Consultant in Senior Care Create inter-action with the younger generation. The elder citizens love freedom, independence, dignity and respect as well as inter-action with younger generation. The Model should consider these aspects and some of the ways and means that these opportunities can be created The word “retirement” in the Indian context is “anyone who is above 60 years of age” This needs a different perception in view of the fact that suddenly when one attains the age of 60 years, he is useless and needs to be taken care of. Independent life of senior citizens has no age barrier. It is affected by the stigma that anyone above 60 cannot contribute but needs care and looking after. There is a tacit knowledge that the senior citizens possess by virtue of their experience and the opportunities that life has offered them. This tacit knowledge needs to be channelized by involving the senior citizens in the industry or educational institutions, as their experience is worth its weight in gold. What we lack is an organizational support that not only informs the stakeholders like the industries, educational institutions or social organisations of the availability of this tacit knowledge of the senior citizens but also ensure that they get the opportunities to which they can contribute. These could be: Doctors who can volunteer to work in the medical centre, Nursing Home or serve the community Give lectures in schools or colleges or in forums or discourse on religion Take up a social project in the nearby villages Professionals, who can give talk on current issues that can develop communication and personality development Conclusion: Active life concept for senior citizens is to ensure that senior citizens lead an active life instead of being couch potatoes in front of the TVs or be considered fit only to take care of the grand children. Of course there is pleasure in taking care of grand children, but that alone cannot be the reason for senior citizens to lead an active life! Everyone needs space. Senior citizens have fulfilled their responsibilities to their children and family. What they need at the twilight of their life is dignity, freedom, independence and a sense of belonging. Retirement Communities that can provide the concept of Active Life would do a yeoman service in the care and services of senior citizens. Ultimately, nothing but passion and compassion can give the seniors to lead an Active Life till the very end! Care and Services with passion and compassion.