Red Deer Public Library is pleased to continue offering a diverse selection of virtual health and wellness programs. Upcoming programs include Yoga, Nutrition for Healthy Bones, Naloxone Training, Strategies for Managing Stress in Challenging Times, Health Cafés, and more. We also have one in-person outdoor Health and Wellness program on the go, our Downtown Walk and Talk groups. Join us for some fresh air and great conversation during a half hour stroll on Monday evenings or Tuesdays at lunch time. In addition, our Walking Winter challenge continues until February 28.

If you like to drive and want to help people get to medical appointments, or do escorted grocery shopping, or maybe deliver groceries on a Friday the Golden Circle is the place to call. You are compensated for your gas and you would be helping people who really appreciate it. Please call Gail or Diane at 403-343-6074

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, often goes unrecognized and untreated because there are no symptoms. Your pharmacist can help you reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke, by: 1. Reviewing your medications, helping you take them as prescribed and managing potential side effects. 2. Teaching you how to use a blood pressure monitoring device properly and testing your blood pressure regularly. 3. Advising you how to maintain a healthy weight, and a diet that’s low in sodium. and 4. Guiding you through a step-by-step quit smoking plan. Learn more about how to keep your blood pressure under control by speaking with your pharmacist.

Happy Birthday Violet Elliot!
A very familiar face in the Red Deer community, and a long-time member of the Golden Circle, is celebrating her 105th Birthday in February. Violet was born on February 6th, 1917 in Scotland. She met the love of her life, a Canadian soldier, during WWII and married him on March 4, 1943. Vi was a nurse in Scotland and it was hard leaving her job, as well as her homeland, to follow her husband, but she did. After coming to Red Deer, she took a position at Lindsey Thurber High School, as a nurse, and started her public health nursing career in Canada. Vi has touched many people in her life’s journey and we want to congratulate Violet for reaching her 105th birthday.

The frozen meal program is one of the services available here at the Golden Circle. We made and distributed 18276 frozen meals, provided 1993 potpies and 1555 servings of soup in 2021. Our frozen meal program has been in high demand. We deliver the meals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for a $5.00 delivery charge or you can pick them up here at the Circle. If you want to try our meals because you are tired of cooking or you are not cooking for yourself give us a call at 403-343-7064. Our frozen meal menu is also available on our website. When you are ordering your frozen meals consider ordering one of Grandma’s Pies for dessert. They are being delivered with the frozen meals.

Collagen makes up 90% of your body’s protein, and is vital for our skin, bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments, acting like glue for joints. The body’s ability to produce collagen naturally decreases as we age, and excess sun exposure, smoking and poor diet can also inhibit collagen production. It’s no surprise that people reach for collagen for wrinkles, cellulite, stretch marks, and joint health and comfort. The depletion of collagen may lead to joint challenges, and visible signs like sagging skin. When you consider collagen’s potential to support our joints, bones, and skin, it becomes obvious why this multitasking protein is on everybody’s radar.

Today’s active seniors are looking to get the most out of their retirement. When weighing the options for senior living, consider how much the senior living industry has grown in the last five years. Independent living has become a retirement haven for seniors who want flexibility and peace of mind. It is designed for the independent senior with an active lifestyle who wants to simplify their worries of home maintenance, commuting, safety, social isolation, and health. Senior living in an independent living community is designed to streamline your life to give you the time to do the things you want to do.

Many of us are fully aware we don’t get enough sleep at night. Did you know just one night of even minor sleep deprivation (6 hours or less) can wreak havoc on your heart? Several published studies from the European Heart Journal concluded that just one night of sleeplessness can put your heart at risk for many pathologies, increasing one’s risk of cardiovascular disease by 48%. Studies showed that your chance of death by coronary artery disease (CAD) almost double with continual sleep deprivation. For more information check out our blog on our website www.dreamsleep.ca

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.

A recent study suggests that playing video games for 30 minutes a day could help older adults gradually fight the effects of dementia by improving memory function. Games that involve a 3D environment with more advanced graphics appear to be more effective, as they offer more immersive gameplay. During the study, participants were asked to play video games for about 30 to 45 minutes per day over four weeks. Improvements in both cognition and memory skills were found in the group that played video games with 3D graphics. This could offer a simple and fun anti-dementia approach for older adults!

Golden Circle Outreach services connect people who need help to our basket of services or other services in the community that will make their life easier and safer. Our staff have helped apply for the Action Bus, connect them to Red Deer Meals on Wheels, so that they can get a hot meal delivered at noon Monday to Friday. We help them get a Lifeline system from the Friends of Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Help with Alberta Senior Benefits and income tax. Staff have helped people fill out application forms for CPP and OAS as well as AISH. We are here to help people get the supports and services they need to remain independent. Please reach out, ask your questions and we will help you get the information that you need. We are only a call away at 403-343-6074.