Community News
The Facts about Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpastes don’t necessarily whiten your teeth. In fact, it can damage your enamel. It can temporarily remove surface stains but it doesn’t change the natural color of your teeth or lighten stains deeper than the surface. They should not be used for extended periods of time. If you want to really improve the color of your smile, talk to your dentist about the options they have available. It may cost more in the short term, but you will get longer term results.

Golden Circle Events

July 5: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Monday Movie Night – My Big Fat Greek Wedding
July 7: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Social Gathering
July 12: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Monday Movie Night – Guarding Tess
July 19: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Monday Movie Night – Chocolat
July 21: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Group Discussion – Social Media & Staying Connected
July 26: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Monday Movie Night – The Musketeer

Summertime Tips

Summer is here. It is time to take advantage of the great weather after being in the house over the winter. Outdoor activity is a way to move the body, get reconnected to your neighbours and community. Summer can also be dangerous for older adults, especially on those hot summer days. Here are some summertime tips to keep in mind.
Boost your hydration: Older adults are susceptible to dehydration so you need to drink plenty of fluids especially when you are doing physical activity or the days are hot.
Use sunblock: As we get older, our skin gets thinner and is more sensitive to sun exposure. So lather up with at least 30 SPF. Sunglasses should be considered on bright days, as well as wearing a hat.
Know when to stay indoors: When they announce that we will be experiencing a heat wave find an air-conditioned place to relax. Use a fan. Malls are a good place to go to stay cool, and also a great place to meet people.
Falls prevention: Just because it is not winter and we do not have ice in the summer, falls still happen. Make sure you are careful on unfamiliar terrain when you are out walking/hiking.
Enjoy your time outdoors in the summer but be safe as well. We will be having some outdoor concerts here at the Golden Circle so watch out for our weekly email of upcoming events.

Community Announcement

July 30th International Day of Friendship.
Sharing the human spirit through friendship. Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division — such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses — among many others — that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world’s peoples.
To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms — the simplest of which is friendship.
Through friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust — we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.” Exert from United Nations Website International Day of Friendship.
Friendships are an important part in our over all wellbeing. There are 6 areas that friendships can impact our lives. We suffer from less loneliness and social isolation, it helps to reduce stress, provides emotional support, helps in our personal development, provides us with a sense of belonging, and supports us through some of life’s challenges. We all lose friends because we had to move, or they passed on, or they had to move. Some of us when we get older are not interested in making new friends because we are afraid that we are going to lose them too. The Golden Circle provides people the opportunity to connect with people and help establish new social bonds. You might even find someone that you can travel with because your travel partner is no longer with you. Whenever we ask the question “why did you join the Golden Circle”, the two top reasons are the comradery and meeting new people. So check out the Golden Circle, meet new people, get connected. For more information call 403-343-6074.

7 Days of Self-Care

Self-care refers to any activity we do purposefully to take care of ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. On July 24 each year, people celebrate Self-Care Day – but any time is a great time to start practicing self-care. Why not try seven days of self-care to create new, healthy habits? Day 1: Unplug from technology for the day. Day 2: Declutter your physical space and mind. Day 3: Nourish yourself with food, water, sleep, and exercise. Day 4: Create something with your hands. Day 5: Listen to your feelings. Day 6: Express yourself to others. Day 7: Explore something new!

Hearing Loss and Heart Disease

It might come as a surprise, but there is a connection between heart health and hearing. Both rely on blood flow, so heart problems that cause plaque buildup in the arteries and restrict blood flow can potentially damage ears. Nerves in the ears can also be damaged by poor circulation. Studies have shown that the better someone’s cardiovascular health, the better their hearing tends to be. It’s important that older adults eat a healthy, balanced diet; get regular exercise; quit smoking and have their hearing tested every two years, to help maintain a healthy heart, and therefore healthy ears.

Join Our Summer Reading Club!

We challenge you to read and explore with us this summer! Our Summer Reading Club challenges will help you read outside your comfort zone AND get out and about in our community (and doing so will give you a shot at winning great prizes too!). Pick up a reading challenge sheet at any library branch or on our website, and find staff picks and other resources to keep your mind and body active this summer at rdpl.org/src.

What is Probate?

Certain assets cannot be transferred without a Grant of Probate of the Will. The Application for Probate includes information about the estate’s assets and liabilities and about those who have an interest in the estate. Once issued, the Grant of Probate confirms that the Will meets the legal requirements and that the executor has the authority to carry out their duties. Your lawyer can advise you on whether to apply for a Grant of Probate and other steps that can be taken to avoid disputes and problems after the Grant of Probate is issued, such as keeping good records.

Yearly Denture Check-up

Your dentures should be checked on an annual basis to ensure you still have a correct fit. Your face and the tissues in your mouth change over the years, while your dentures are rigid and stay the same. Your appearance and comfort can be compromised the longer you delay receiving care from your denturist. Annual visits to your denture clinic can help ward off many potential problems including headaches, neck and joint pain, irritated gums, indigestion, problems with chewing, and even bone loss and occasionally changes in facial contour. Are you due for a check-up?

Safe in the Sun

Make the most out of the outdoors while you relax in the sun, free of buzzing n biting bugs (& the diseases they carry), and concerns of regrettable-scorched skin. Research revealed an incredible 84% of sunscreen products are harmful to consumers. Choose biodegradable sunscreens with natural minerals like zinc and avoid synthetic chemicals that can cause health concerns. Too much sun? Aloe vera & lavender can soothe & accelerate healing. Studies found that lemon eucalyptus essential oil, used in natural outdoor sprays, can be more effective at warding off mosquitoes than DEET. Prepared, you can have the best summer ever!

8 Pillars of Holistic Health

For holistic wellness, #Balance incorporates 8 dimensions that should work in harmony. These include: Financial – overall financial health; Spiritual – connected to something greater than yourself; Intellectual – refers to active participation in scholastic, cultural, and community activities; Emotional – inspires self-care, relaxation, stress reduction and the development of inner strength; Physical – promotes proper care of our bodies; Social – refers to the relationships we have and how we interact with others; Occupational – is the ability to achieve a balance between work and leisure; and Environmental – is an awareness of the effects of your daily habits on the physical environment.