The Golden Circle offers a wide variety of activities for individuals of all fitness levels which support functional mobility and keep older adults active! Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider before exercising, but no matter what your abilities are today, you can do things to improve your strength and balance.
From registered fitness programs like Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi and Stretch Flex and Strengthen to our drop in Sit and Be Fit class and Line Dancing which we had during the summer, we can help you to stay active and prevent falls risk. Join in on Bocce Ball or the Hardy Walkers Club weekly! Contact the Golden Circle at 403-343-6074 or [email protected] for more information.

Remembrance Day marks the final day of Veterans’ Week and commemorates the end of hostilities during the First World War on that date in 1918. At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Canadians gather wherever they are and stand in collective remembrance of all who have fallen in the military service of their country. We observe a moment of silence to remember those who have fallen in the line of duty and to recognize their service to our country.

May we all spend some time not only on Remembrance Day, but every day, honouring our veterans and remembering that they fought and sacrificed for Canada and Canadians. May that memory never fade of the sacrifices that our nations’ veterans, both alive and since passed, have made, and do continue to make in order that we may enjoy the freedoms that we have today. Thank you to all of our veterans. We remember.

THE STATISTICS ARE ALARMING
As the leading cause of injury, falls are a significant public health issue across age groups and settings in Alberta. In 2019 alone, 161,539 Albertans visited emergency rooms and urgent care, and 18,702 Albertans were hospitalized due to a fall. Falls happen at home, school, in recreation and leisure, sports, in the community, work and even on vacation. As of 2022, falls remain the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian seniors, and between 20% and 30% of seniors fall each year. Falls and associated outcomes not only harm the injured individuals but also affect family, friends, care providers and the health care system. But here’s the good news – with a little knowledge, some tools and resources, we ALL have the ability to prevent most falls at any age!

HOW TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY FALLS

We all have a role to play in Fall Prevention! Here are just a few tips to help you prevent falls:
Stay active to maintain balance and core strength by whenever possible taking a walk, participating in exercise classes and stretching; eat nutritious meals to stay strong and avoid frailty; make sure you regularly have eye exams to ensure existing prescriptions are accurate; speak with your Doctor and Pharmacist to ensure that your medical prescriptions are not affecting your vision; assess your home and other environments for slip and trip hazards and remove them whenever possible; wear proper footwear indoors and outdoors – especially in these colder icy months where slips are all too common; hold onto a railing if you are going up or down stairs and ramps.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A FALL

If you do have a fall, assess whether you can get up. If you can, stop and catch your breath, check to see that you are uninjured and take your time getting up. There are many resources available that show you how to safely get yourself back up.

If you cannot get up, call out for help, if you have a phone or emergency device, use it to call for help. Make noise so someone will hear you and try to move your joints to ease circulation and prevent stiffness until help arrives.

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups CO-OP GOLD Slow Cook Oats; 2 ½ Cups SILK OAT YEAH Oat Beverage; ½ cup pumpkin puree; ¼ cup maple syrup; ¼ cup raisins; 2 Tbsp chia seeds; 2 Tbsp CO-OP GOLD PURE Hemp Seeds; ⅛ tsp cinnamon; ⅛ tsp nutmeg. For garnish: 1 cup matchstick-cut apple; 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds. DIRECTIONS: Place all “overnight” ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cover snugly and let soak overnight in the fridge. In the morning, stir mixture and add a bit more oat milk if needed. Divide among jars or bowls and add fresh apple and pumpkin seeds as a garnish.