Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, hospitalizations, emergency department visits and disabilities in Canada? Falls can have severe consequences, especially for older adults, often resulting in injuries that can limit mobility, decrease confidence, and even lead to long-term disabilities. Taking proactive measures, like exercising regularly can help older adults to enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle. The Golden Circle has a variety of fitness options (Yoga, Zumba, Stretch Flex and Strengthen, Sit and Be Fit, Bocce Ball, Carpet Bowling and Line Dancing) for all different activity levels. Some are drop-in classes and some require pre-registration, call the Golden Circle for information at 403-343-6074 – we would love to have you join us!
Outreach Services
Do you need help applying for Alberta Seniors Benefit?
Have Government forms you need help filling out? Need Home Maintenance and Yard care services?
Are you looking to relocate and need a Housing Resource List?
Need transportation to and from medical appointments? Our Outreach Coordinators can help! The team is ready and able to assist – call the front desk at 403-343-6074 to make an appointment to be connected and to have an assessment done.
Eating Healthy During Summer
Shining rays and longer days are great ways to enjoy summer, unlike cooking. Choosing healthy, wholefood, nutrient dense options can keep your energy high, waistline small, and your time free for the good stuff. Look for quality brands with foods high in fiber & healthy fats, low in sugar & processing (or even better, raw!), for low blood sugars, and help being your best self. To support the challenges of our fast paced world, nourish yourself with choices that are better for you, and the planet. Need help? Come into Mortar and Pesto Natural Pharmacy for a simple healthy raw cookie recipe that pleases the whole family (and is great cold on a hot day!).
Book of the Month: Enchantment:
Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May. Many of us feel trapped in a grind of constant change: rolling news cycles, the chatter of social media, our families split along partisan lines. We feel fearful and tired, on edge in our bodies, not quite knowing what has us perpetually depleted. In Enchantment, Katherine May invites the reader on a journey to reawaken our innate sense of wonder and awe. With humor, candor, and warmth, she shares stories of her own struggles and begins to explore the restorative properties of the natural world. Available to borrow from Red Deer Public Library at rdpl.org
Effectively Managing Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition and requires specific, lifelong management. It’s estimated that more than 6 million Canadians are at risk of developing diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not enough to be type 2 diabetes. Managing your health is critical to helping delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Your pharmacist can support you in managing your diabetes effectively by reviewing any current medications, educating you about diabetes symptoms to be aware of, supporting you with healthy lifestyle changes, and offering products and tools to monitor your blood glucose.
The Power of Embracing Discomfort
Suffering doesn’t mean something is wrong. It is a normal part of life. How often are you trying to fix or change your uncomfortable emotions of irritability, sadness, guilt, fear, and anger instead of sitting with them and trusting that this is all part of the human experience? When we learn to trust, surrender, and let go of the need to control situations and feel positive emotions all the time, that’s when anxiety goes away. Where in your life are you always trying to control the outcome? What happens if you don’t?
Book Club: Real Self-Care
A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness. From women’s mental health specialist Pooja Lakshmin, MD. Real self-care, in contrast, is an internal, self-reflective process that involves making difficult decisions in line with our values, and when we practice it, we shift our relationships, our workplaces, and even our broken systems. Find it at your local bookstore.
Clean Eating: Mixed Berry Crisp
5 cups mixed berries, fresh or frozen. ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup. 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch. 2 Tbsp. Lemon juice. 1 cup old-fashioned oats. ½ cup packed almond flour. ⅓ cup packed coconut sugar. ¼ tsp. sea salt. 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted. 3 Tbsp. plain yogurt. Preheat the oven to 350. In a 9 by 9-inch baking dish, mix the berries, honey, starch, and juice. Set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, almond flour, sugar and salt. Mix in the butter and yogurt. Stir. Dollop the oat mixture over the filling. Bake for 50 minutes. Serve with Greek yogurt.
Community Dining at the Golden Circle
Studies have shown that socialization is an important part of our mental wellness as we age and there is nothing like the feeling of sharing a nutritious meal while enjoying the simple pleasure of conversation, companionship and recreation.
The Golden Circle’s Community Dining program provides social activities followed by a nutritious meal catered by The Golden Circle for $9.00/person hosted by our Community Outreach Program Coordinator, Sarah Kolibab.
Activities are based on the group’s interests, we encourage input and ideas for new activities. Previous ideas have included:
• Guest Speakers
• Music/Dancing
• Arts/Crafts
• Games
• Information and Referral presentations
Community Dining is currently being held at the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre, Barrett Place and Waskasoo Towers on Mondays. Please call us for scheduling information at 403-343-6074 or email Community Program Coordinator, Sarah Kolibab [email protected]
If you are interested in hosting Community Dining within your building or community centre, connect with Sarah!
Seven Pillars of Self Care
1. Knowledge & Health literacy – to obtain health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. 2. Mental wellbeing & Self-awareness – knowing your body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, blood pressure; engaging in health screening. 3. Physical activity – practicing intensity at a desirable frequency. 4. Healthy eating – having a nutritious, balanced diet with appropriate levels of calorie intake. 5 Risk avoidance – quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol use. 6 Good hygiene – washing hands regularly, brushing teeth, washing food. 7 Rational use of products and medicines – being aware of dangers, using responsibly when necessary.
Sunscreen 101
Have you been protecting yourself against sun exposure? When selecting a sunscreen, go for the “broad spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against harmful rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. Secondly, look at the ingredients. Physical blockers (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) provide the best protection and cause less skin irritation than chemical sunscreens.


