Community News
Book Club

Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking by Dr. Caroline Leaf. Toxic thoughts, depression, anxiety-our mental mess is frequently aggravated by a chaotic world and sustained by an inability to manage our runaway thoughts. But we shouldn’t settle into this mental mess as if it’s just our new normal. There’s hope and help available to us, and the road to healthier thoughts and peak happiness may actually be shorter than you think. DrLeaf.com

Ways to Empower Relationships

Wanting to strengthen your relationships? Allow them to feel cherished and thought of often. By reaching out and telling them what you really enjoy and like about them, it makes them feel appreciated. Taking someone for granted leads to complacency and dulls the relationship connection. Everyone wants to be seen, acknowledged and celebrated even if they don’t say so. Most of us are conflict avoidant, so having a clearing model that is easy to use when differences arise is necessary to help work things through. Taking full ownership of our feelings, naming the specific behaviors that upset us and asking for what you need instead of blaming or becoming defensive is a game changer. Every relationship at some point needs to clear resentment or misunderstandings, when you can do it quickly and efficiently, they don’t build up.

Healthy Blueberry Crisp

Healthy Blueberry Crisp. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, toss 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries with 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Pour into a baking dish. In another bowl, mix 1 cup rolled oats, 1/3 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup chopped nuts, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 2 tbsp coconut oil or butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over berries. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and bubbly. Serve warm, with Greek yogurt. Enjoy!

Stay Social with Hearing Loss

Socializing can be tough for those with hearing loss, but a few thoughtful adjustments can make all the difference. Always get their attention before speaking. Talk at a natural pace—don’t shout—and use pauses to help them keep up. Keep your hands away from your face so they can see your lips. Stick to one topic at a time and let them know if the subject changes. Choose seating where they can see everyone’s faces clearly. Most importantly, check in often. If they seem confused, repeat the message in simpler, shorter sentences to help keep them connected and included.

Frozen Meals – Made with Care

Not a fan of grocery shopping or cooking? We’ve got you covered!
We offer a delicious variety of in-house made frozen meals—prepared with care and ready for you to enjoy. You can order online at www.goldencircle.ca or by calling 403-343-6074. Delivery within Red Deer is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, must be ordered 2 business days prior to pick up or delivery.

Social Prescribing in Action

We wanted to share a heartfelt story from our Social Prescribing Program, which continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local seniors. Recently, a referral was made for a client who had lost his spouse. Living in a remote area with his son over 1,000 km away, he suddenly found himself alone and overwhelmed. His spouse had always managed their household responsibilities, and after her passing in 2024, he didn’t know where to begin putting his life back together.
Feeling lost and unsure how to navigate the mountain of paperwork and emotional strain, he was referred to a Link Worker through the Social Prescribing Program. Over the next few months, the Link Worker met with him regularly—helping him organize finances, maintain personal care, and most importantly, reconnect socially.
He was introduced to a senior drop-in group, where he started forming meaningful relationships. These connections supported his grieving process and eased his loneliness.
Looking back on the past year, he shared just how grateful he is for the support from The Golden Circle and the Social Prescribing team. He says he couldn’t have made it through alone—and that until meeting his outreach workers, he didn’t even know such services existed, let alone how to access them.
Today, he has a new, happier outlook on life, and encourages others:
“No one should have to face sadness, loneliness, and the loss of a spouse alone.”

Grocery Raffle

It’s back! We’re once again hosting our monthly Grocery Raffle, featuring one $500 and two $250 gift cards to a local grocery store. Who doesn’t need groceries these days?
Get your ticket today by calling 403-343-6074 or visiting us at 4620 47A Ave, Red Deer, AB.

August Events for Seniors at RDPL

Creative Writing Crash Course (every Wednesday)
Red Deer Cancer Connect (August 5 & 19)
First Thursday Concert Series: Windwood Festival Musicians (August 7)
Затишні Вечори: Cozy Evenings for Ukrainian Seniors (August 20)
Sip n’ Stitch (August 21)
Happy Ever After Book Club (August 25) For full details, visit rdpl.org/events

Book of the Month:

Fit at 50: Your Guide to a Stronger, Fitter, & Happier (Mid)life in Just 6 Weeks by Caroline Idiens
Caroline’s 360-degree program will help you establish your fitness goals, progressively build up to longer workouts, and continue your fitness for decades to come.
Available to borrow from Red Deer Public Library at rdpl.org

August Trivia

.1 What is the primary source of energy for the human body? 2. Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption in the body? 3. What is the most expensive spice in the world? 4. What is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth called?