Eating with others involves nutrition and socialization, which is a great combination. When we choose to bond over a meal with another person, we are making key connections in our brain that help us regulate our emotions, and the release of oxytocin is known to aid in the digestion of foods as well – it’s win-win!
Did you know that the Golden Circle offers drop-in in-house dining three days per week? Mondays are Soup and Sandwich lunch, Wednesdays are Hot Lunch, and on Fridays we serve breakfast. You don’t have to be a member to enjoy our in-house dining, but you get a discount if you are one, so please, come on down to the Golden Circle, pick up a monthly calendar of events, take a tour of the building, sign up for membership, and join us for a meal or three; we look forward to dining with you!
Community News
Book of the Month:
Wintering the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
Sometimes you slip through the cracks: unforeseen circumstances like an abrupt illness, the death of a loved one, a break up, or a job loss can derail a life. These periods of dislocation can be lonely and unexpected. For May, her husband fell ill, her son stopped attending school, and her own medical issues led her to leave a demanding job. Wintering explores how she not only endured this painful time, but embraced the singular opportunities it offered.
Available to borrow from Red Deer Public Library at rdpl.org
Making New Holiday Traditions
The first holiday season after a move to a senior community can sometimes be stressful and difficult for your senior loved one. Creating new traditions can help with the transition and make the holiday season less stressful for everyone. Although your family holiday events may have been held at your senior loved one’s home in the past, holding gatherings at another family member’s home going forward can make things easier. Have your senior loved one help with one or two tasks that keep them involved without overwhelming them, and take advantage of the many fun holiday events this season!
Seasons Greetings: Tax Benefit Opportunities
“As the year draws to a close, it’s a time to reflect on gratitude and generosity. I wish you joy and cheer this season. Remember, amidst the festivities, there may be untapped opportunities to ensure financial wellness. As a disability tax specialist, I encourage you to explore potential tax benefits available to you. Let this season be not only about celebration but also about securing your financial future. May the holidays bring you comfort, and may the new year shine light on possibilities for a more prosperous tomorrow. Wishing you and your loved ones a season filled with happiness, while keeping your financial well-being in mind.”
Healthy Peppermint Bark
Dark Chocolate Layer: 2 cups Greek yogurt; 1/2 cup maple syrup divided; 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract; 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder. White Peppermint Layer: 2 cups Greek yogurt; 1/4 cup pure maple syrup divided; 1 tsp peppermint extract; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. For the dark chocolate layer, combine 2 cups of yogurt, cocoa powder, 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, and 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract. Stir to combine. Spread the mixture onto lined baking sheet. Freeze 30 min. For the white layer, combine the remaining yogurt, remaining ¼ cup pure maple syrup, 1 tsp peppermint extract, and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Spread the white layer over the frozen chocolate layer, and freeze for 3-4 hours. When completely frozen, break into bite-size portions and enjoy!
Men’s Health Awareness
Movember is a significant annual event that shines a spotlight the health issues of men of all ages. During the month of November, often referred to as “Movember,” men are encouraged to grow mustaches to raise awareness and funds for critical men’s health concerns. This campaign not only highlights issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health but also encourages open conversations about them. By participating in Movember, we can show their solidarity and support for these causes while emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups, early detection, and mental well-being. It’s a powerful movement that unites communities to improve the health and well-being of men of all ages.
Breathe in a Sigh of Relief
Greentech Environmental’s PureHEPA+ Air Purifier emerges as a vital ally against the rising threat of wildfire smoke and persistent odors. Amidst increasing wildfire incidents, this eco-friendly air purifier offers respite, efficiently capturing harmful smoke particles with its HEPA filtration system. What sets it apart is its ability to eliminate odors using an activated carbon filter, ensuring your space always smells fresh. Beyond its performance, PureHEPA+ embodies eco-consciousness, consuming minimal energy and featuring durable construction to minimize waste. In an era where environmental responsibility is paramount, Greentech’s PureHEPA+ supports the relationship between technology and nature, providing a breath of fresh air for a sustainable future.
Did You Know?
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 info@goldencircle.ca for more information.
November is Fall Prevention Month
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.
Lest We Forget
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.
Pumpkin Spiced Overnight Oats
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.
