SRWC is a unique, welcoming, recovery-oriented community, accompanying individuals, families and friends affected by substance abuse in their journey towards recovery. We offer, group individual, couples counselling, and family counselling and education programs during the day and evening, co-ed and gender specific programs and support for individuals and their families. The Access, program for those awaiting a program of their choice, Exploring Options participating in a recovery plan, gender specific Continuing Recovery Program, or our co-ed evening Work Sober Program focusing on recovery maintenance. We support your recovery by helping you find the services you need.
Cannabis Exposure in Breastfed Infants
Breastfeeding is an ideal choice for infants, but if the mother is using marijuana – risks outweigh the benefits. THC is a fat soluble liquid, which goes through the mother’s bloodstream, and stored in body fat, resulting in high concentrations in the brain and body. THC accumulates in the mother’s breast milk and may produce severe cognitive and behavioural consequences. Infant may also show signs of sedation, reduced muscle tone, poor sucking response and digestive issues. Other effects include; irritability, excitability, exaggerated startle responses, and diminished crying in newborns. Some studies have found decreased motor development at 1 year of age.
Nature Coaching
Nature Coaching is an approach developed in connection with nature. Coaching sessions are carried out in the natural environment. This generates relaxation and enjoyment for the Coachee through sounds, scents, and visuals. Research shows that nature positively impacts our well-being. It helps you feel centered and aligned with your needs, values, objectives, and actions. It strengthens your decision-making skills and self-esteem. You feel more yourself and discover your uniqueness. The role of the Coach is to unite you with the natural elements around you, either created indoors or outdoors, to facilitate expanded awareness, observation, listening, and general connection to nature.
Celebrate Mental Health Week with Empathy
May 2-8, 2022 marks the 71st CMHA Mental Health Week and this year’s theme is all about empathy. The pandemic has had a significant effect on our mental well-being leading to reduced overall civility and respect at work. Empathy has now been touted as the most important skill we can have to support each other. Ways we can practice empathy to support ourselves and others are by listening to understand, not replying, only offering help if asked, and not putting a silver lining on things. For more organizational well-being resources visit.
Acupuncture for Mental Health
Health Canada reports that suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15 to 24-year-olds and 16% among 25 to 44-year-olds. Depression and anxiety can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Studies have suggested that acupuncture might help with symptoms of anxiety and depression as part of a multi-faceted wellness plan. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture is thought to allow life energy (qi) to flow, which is often explained in modern medicine as a possible release of endorphins. This can potentially help with underlying issues that may cause anxiety and depression, including grief or pain.
Community Announcement
Join the Golden Circle Friendship Club which meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month to build positive connections, new friendships and gatherings out-and-about in our community.
Our Friendly Visitors Phone Program is great if you would like either a brief check-in or meaningful conversations with shared interests from our friendly volunteers.
Stay active with The Hardy Walkers Club and walk each Wednesday. Meet at the Golden Circle at shortly before 1:00 pm and walk up to approximately 2 hours.
Get fit with a 45-minute low-impact aerobics Steppin Cardio class and step and move to upbeat music which is guaranteed to leave you feeling fit and having fun.
Improve your fitness and make everyday tasks much easier by joining our Stretch Flex & Strengthen low impact class which incorporates cardio, strength, balance & stretching. You may either sit in a chair or stand for this one hour class.
Builds cardiovascular health and work your muscles of the hips, legs and arms with dance moves! Join our fun Zumba Gold Fitness Class which takes the popular Latin dance-inspired workout of Zumba and makes it accessible for seniors, beginners or others needing modifications in their exercise routine.
Love board and card games? Join us weekly and keep your mind sharp, playing Canasta, Bridge, Cribbage, Pinochle, Mahjong, Scrabble, Euchre and Military Whist.
We all love music – join us each week and enjoy our Ukelele Jam on Wednesdays and our newest Music Jam program on Friday afternoons.
Call us today at 403.343.6074 for more information. Also check out our website for information, referrals, resources, programs and activities at www.TheGoldenCircle.ca
Community Announcement
As May 3-9 is Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada we wanted to highlight an important issue facing seniors in our communities – loneliness.
As the years go by, seniors’ social circles begin to shrink which often results in loneliness and oftentimes, social isolation. Multiple studies have proven that loneliness is a risk factor for and may contribute to depression, deterioration in cognitive performance and the onset of dementia.
Loneliness is often associated with negative feelings such as sadness, pain, or low self-worth and is a huge risk for seniors as these can lead to other conditions and can be life threatening if they experience a combination of strains on their mental state.
It has been well-documented that lonely seniors are far more likely to deteriorate both physically and mentally than their more social counterparts, and that loneliness and social isolation are associated with a higher mortality risk in adults aged 52 and up.
There are a variety of reasons why lonely seniors are less likely to seek out medical help if their conditions worsen, but one study done by The Mood Disorders Society of Canada suggests that 90% of those afflicted with chronic loneliness don’t seek treatment, which indicates that thousands of seniors living in Canada are suffering in silence — and solitude.
Community Announcement
At the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre we provide information, referrals, resources, programs and activities for the purpose of enriching independent, healthy lifestyles for all older adults, their families and caregivers in Red Deer and surrounding communities.
Our vision is to be an active community resource organization that welcomes all individuals and we offer a variety of ways for older adults to connect with one another, learn new skills and enjoy one another’s company. You don’t have to feel lonely, you will always find a friend here at the Golden Circle.
Preventing Lyme Disease
There are more than 40 species of ticks in Canada, mostly found in grassy and wooded areas with trees, shrubs, and piles of leaves. Avoiding tick bites is the best way to prevent Lyme Disease. Here’s how you can keep yourself bite-free when spending time outdoors: 1) Wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and pants. 2) Walk on pathways. 3) Use bug spray with DEET or icaridin. 4) After being outside, check yourself, children, gear, and pets for ticks, bathe, and put all clothes worn outdoors into a dryer for 10-20 minutes. Learn more about Lyme Disease at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/lyme-pamphlet.html Speak to your Central Alberta Co-op Pharmacist for more information.
Senior Brain Health
It’s important for people of all ages to keep their brains healthy with regular workouts, but especially so for seniors. Here are five ways you can keep your mind sharp as you age: 1) Play a game. Try a sudoku, crossword, or jigsaw puzzle, or play a game of cards with friends. 2) Get moving. Regular exercise increases blood flow to your brain and increases neurons. 3) Listen to or play music. Science shows that music is a great brain booster. 4) Eat right. A diet rich in healthy fats is crucial for cognitive health. 5) Learn something new. Keep your mind engaged!
Natural Factors CLA & Green Tea
A balanced diet and daily exercise, along with high-grade supplements, are your best bets for achieving your weight management goals. Natural Factors CLA Tonalin® provides the highest-quality CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) available and is sourced from safflower oil. It is a natural fat burner that works by revving up muscle metabolism and increasing lean muscle mass. Combine it with Natural Factors HerbalFactors® Green Tea for even more weight management benefits.


