Red Deer Cancer Connect (Feb. 3 & 17)
Travel Memories: Haida Gwaii (Feb. 4)
First Thursday Concert Series (Feb. 5)
Red Deer Reads Author Event with Conor Kerr (Feb. 7)
Readers’ Theatre (Feb. 19)
Sip n’ Stitch (Feb. 19)
Затишні Вечори: Cozy Evenings for Ukrainian Seniors (Feb. 19)
Meet Someone Making it in Music (Feb. 20)
Digital Skills Class (begins Feb. 23)
Roots and Branches: Genealogy at the Library (Feb. 28)
Book Clubs (various dates/times)
For full details, visit rdpl.org/events
Community News
Heart Health, Naturally Refreshed
Heart health begins with simple daily habits, and staying well hydrated is one of the most important. VitaJuwel’s GemWater Crystal Bottles transform ordinary water into a mindful wellness ritual, blending hydration with the subtle energetic influence of hand selected gemstones such as rose quartz, garnet, and amethyst. Traditionally associated with love, balance, and vitality, these crystals are thoughtfully arranged in a sealed glass vial, ensuring water remains pure while gently infused. Drinking enough water supports healthy circulation, blood pressure regulation, and overall cardiovascular function. With VitaJuwel GemWater, nourishing your heart becomes both intentional and beautifully inspiring.
Controlling Your High Blood Pressure
Whether you or your loved one has been newly diagnosed, or have had hypertension for years, consider your Central Alberta Co-op Pharmacist a helpful resource. High blood pressure can be problematic, but it can be kept under control with lifestyle changes and proper treatment. Losing weight, eating a healthy high-fibre, low-sodium diet, exercising, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can be effective measures. Ask your pharmacist to develop a blood pressure plan specific to your lifestyle and needs. They can educate you about blood pressure medication and discuss interactions with other medications you may take.
Clean Eating Recipe:
5 Ingredient Date Snickers. Ingredients: Organic pitted dates; Nut Butter of choice; Organic Raw Peanuts; Dark Chocolate (melted). Directions: Slice dates halfway down the middle. Open each date slightly to form a pocket, and space them evenly on parchment paper. Add enough nut butter to fill each date, top with a few nuts, then pinch closed. Place in the freezer for 15-20 mins. Dip each one in the melted chocolate until completely coated. Freeze for 30 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container.
Heart Health, Hearing Health
Healthy aging starts with caring for both your heart and your hearing. Research shows a strong connection between cardiovascular health and hearing health. The inner ear relies on steady blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients, and reduced circulation can damage delicate hair cells, leading to hearing loss. Supporting heart health through regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, stress management and quitting smoking can also help protect hearing. Conditions such as high blood pressure can affect blood flow to the ears, making regular checkups essential. At Beltone, we support healthy aging with free hearing assessments and innovative hearing solutions to help you hear your best at every stage of life.
February Intuitive Insight
Oracle Card drawn by Lygia Ramcharan – Past Life. Life will seem full and time whizzing by this month, feeling somewhat chaotic. Yet, there is no time like the present to focus on YOU. You have lived through many experiences and have drawn wisdom from the lessons you’ve learned. This month, you may become the teacher to educate others. You may also see some aspects of the past resurfacing. But you’ve GOT this! This time, you have insights to solve old problems. This month will bring revelations and resolutions.
Hearing Aid Grant Available
Our location is participating in the new Manitoba Hearing Aid Grant Program. The Government of Manitoba is offering eligible seniors a grant of up to $2,000 toward the cost of a new pair of hearing aids. If you are a Manitoba resident aged 65 or older, this program can help make better hearing more affordable. We offer a wide range of trusted hearing aid manufacturers, along with expert fittings, adjustments, and programming tailored to your lifestyle and hearing needs. Take the next step toward better hearing and peace of mind. For more information, book a FREE hearing test today!
A Foundation for Care Campaign
The BRHC Foundation’s goal is to raise $4 million toward the community contribution toward the building and equipment needs for the new Critical Care Centre at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. This building will include 16 ICU Suites (up from 10), 30 higher acuity medical beds for patients needing higher level care, modern equipment and technology to enhance treatment outcomes and will include an outdoor courtyard. Please call our office at 204-578-4227 or email [email protected] if you would like more information about this exciting campaign.
Sleep Apnea and Heart Health
Sleep apnea is closely linked to heart health, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). During apnea episodes, breathing repeatedly stops, causing drops in oxygen levels and surges in stress hormones. These changes strain the cardiovascular system and disrupt normal blood pressure regulation. Untreated sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, and stroke. The risk rises with the severity of the condition. Effective treatment—most commonly with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)—can lower blood pressure, reduce heart strain, and improve overall cardiovascular outcomes. Recognizing and treating sleep apnea is an important step in protecting long-term heart health.
Finding Support Together
Experiencing signs or symptoms of dementia or caring for someone living with the disease can raise uncertainty, fears and unknowns. The Alzheimer Society is a place to turn for a community of support. Support groups are a great way for both people living with dementia and care partners to connect with others they can lean on for guidance, encouragement and understanding – which can be a truly grounding and comforting experience. With a variety of groups offered virtually and in person, you can share, laugh and help others who are on a similar path with dementia. View current support group offerings at alzheimer.mb.ca.
Book Club: Just One Heart:
A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness
In Just One Heart, Dr. Jonathan Fisher, a Harvard-trained cardiologist and mindfulness teacher, offers an evidence-based guide to wholehearted living, grounded in the latest research from medicine, psychology, and neuroscience. Blending Western science and Eastern wisdom, this book shares practical tools and daily practices to reduce stress, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with what matters most—while protecting and strengthening your heart.
