Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?: Everyday Tools for Life’s Ups & Downs by Julie Smith
Clinical psychologist and online sensation Dr. Julie Smith teaches you how to fortify and maintain your mental health. Dr. Smith’s expert advice and powerful coping techniques will help you stay resilient, whether you want to manage anxiety, deal with criticism, cope with depression, build self-confidence, find motivation, or learn to forgive yourself.
Available to borrow from Red Deer Public Library at rdpl.org

From our friends at the Alzheimer’s Society: did you know that Almost 40% of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss? When there is no underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is known as age-associated memory impairment.
Age-associated memory impairment is part of the natural process of aging. For most people, memory generally remains strong as they get older, and doesn’t decline rapidly or substantively. However, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are different.
The idea that dementia is an “old person’s disease” is not just stigmatizing, it’s also a myth. While most people living with dementia are over the age of 65, a small number of people in their 40’s and 50’s can and do develop dementia. This is known as young onset dementia.
With more than half a million Canadians living with dementia today, a number expected to reach almost one million in 10 years, we are grateful for the Alzheimer’s Society’s commitment to enhancing its support amongst people living with dementia to meet their needs early in, and throughout, their journey.
Because of the effects of dementia, a person’s ability to communicate may become impaired, making it difficult to talk with them, but this doesn’t mean they should be ignored. All persons with dementia have the right to be treated with respect. If you are looking for more information on Dementia or Alzheimer Disease, please reach out to the Alzheimer Society 1-866-950-5465 or help@alzheimer.ab.ca

January can be a difficult month for many, especially for older adults. The build up and excitement of Christmas is over, and research has shown that there are a great many people who feel down in the dumps in January. There are a lot of ways to combat the January Blues and The Golden Circle is here to help! Stay Active – Exercise, while important all year round, can be vital to lifting your spirits during the winter months. The Golden Circle has a variety of fitness classes that you can join. From Registered classes like Yoga, Zumba, Stretch, Flex and Strengthen, and Tai Chi and our drop in Sit and Be Fit class and the Hardy Walkers Club that meets every Wednesday. We have a variety of opportunities to suit everyone’s ability level, and if you can’t get down to the Golden Circle there are a few classes offered on Zoom as well. Eat a Balanced Diet –
Eating a balanced diet is essential for older adults and is a natural way to boost your mood and energy. You can come down to the Golden Circle three days/week when we are serving meals, or you can access our Homestyle Frozen Meal program! Socialize – Being around other people and/or talking to them can lift your spirits. Come on down to the Golden Circle at 4620 47A Avenue in Red Deer; there is always something going on! You can start your morning in the coffee shack Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 11:30am, or join in on one of the activities like Mahjong, Art Club, Cribbage, Bridge, Quilting, Ukelele Jam, Pinochle, Scrabble, Canasta, Euchre, Music Jam, The Golden Circle Singers, Carpet Bowling, Bocce Ball, and more! Did you know that we have a Men’s Club as well? Mengagement is committed to engaging men in life and living. They endeavour to develop activities that encourage socialization, connection, learning serving and fun to enhance a sense of safety, identity, belonging, purpose, worthiness, and healthy aging for men in our community! You can also sign up to be a Golden Circle Volunteer! We have many areas within our organization for people to get involved in. From working in the kitchen or the dining room, to helping at the front desk, to supporting us at special events or even hosting classes – there is an opportunity for everyone at the Golden Circle!

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that destroys brain cells, causing thinking ability and memory to deteriorate over time. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging and is irreversible. While it’s difficult to predict symptoms, the order in which they will appear or the speed of their progression, there are some warning signs you can look out for. Sudden changes to your loved one’s personality are often another sign that something is not right. These changes can include anxiety, paranoia, depression, and socially inappropriate behaviors, as well as sudden mood swings and physical aggression.

Welcome to the vibrant community of 2024, where a renewed focus on community, health, and wellness is shaping our collective journey. Let’s amplify our connections, breaking through virtual barriers to create a genuine sense of belonging. Health isn’t just about defeating illness—it’s a dynamic equilibrium of mind, body, and spirit. We’re all about embracing active lifestyles, savoring nourishing nutrition, and fortifying mental resilience. Search the WellnessHubAB.ca for great health tips, articles, and connect with local businesses and practitioners. As we embark on this journey together, let’s celebrate the harmony of community, health, and wellness in 2024 and beyond.

Forever Strong: A New, Science-based Strategy for Aging Well by Gabrielle Lyon. Learn how to reboot your metabolism, build strength, and extend your life with this accessible new guidebook that demonstrates the importance of muscle for health and longevity from the founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine.
Available to borrow from Red Deer Public Library at rdpl.org.

In the New Year, prioritize your body’s health with the essential Hormone D. Often referred to as “Vitamin D,” this compound functions as a steroid hormone with vital roles in every cell. Despite its nickname, our bodies manufacture it through regular sun exposure. However, during winter, obtaining sufficient levels becomes challenging. Individuals with unique requirements, such as breastfed babies, children, shift workers, those with surgical menopause, chronic inflammatory conditions, osteoporosis, malabsorption, and the elderly, need tailored approaches. Ensure a healthy start by consulting your pharmacist for a simple blood test to determine your specific needs before commencing any treatment regimen.

The Golden Circle has a Brokered Worker program through our Outreach Department which provides support for older adults to age in the place that is right for them. Our Outreach Coordinators receive requests from clients who may no longer be able to perform tasks around their home. An assessment is conducted along with a home visit and then the Outreach Team assigns the tasks to a screened service provider – which we are currently recruiting for! We are in dire need of Brokered Workers for Red Deer and surrounding communities for light housekeeping, lawn care and snow shoveling.

Reimbursement is $20.00/hr with a two (2) hour minimum charge for housekeeping, with a one hour minimum for snow shoveling and clients pay the Brokered Worker directly.

Are you interested in becoming a Brokered Worker through the Golden Circle? Connect with us for an Application Package. You will need to include a copy of your resume and three (3) references. Phone: 403-343-6074. Email: skolibab@goldencircle.ca

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!

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