April 14 to 20 is National Volunteer Week in Canada. The theme for 2024 is “Every Moment Matters”. It highlights the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make at a moment when we need support more than ever. The sharing of time, skills, empathy, and creativity is vital to the inclusivity, strength, and wellbeing of our communities. We are happy to join with organizations across the nation to recognize and celebrate every volunteer and each contribution they’re making to strengthen inclusivity and wellbeing in our communities. Now more than ever, Every Moment Matters!
Community News
Why is Volunteering Important to Us?
At the Golden Circle we rely on volunteers to help support a variety of aspects of our operations from assisting in the Kitchen and Dining Room, to supporting special events and fundraisers, providing supportive transportation to medical rides, delivering groceries and frozen meals from our own kitchen, and doing friendly visiting over the phone. We cherish our volunteers and could not do this important work without them!
Join us April 14 through 20 as we celebrate our individual and collective actions in creating a strong, interconnected and vibrant community! Volunteering weaves us together, strengthening the fabric of our community by sharing our time, talent and energy to support one another and to build community better together.
Book of the Month:
HealthyGirl Kitchen: 100+ Plant-based Recipes to Live Your Healthiest Life by Danielle Brown. Whether you’re a practicing vegan or just interested in trying out more plant-based meals, this go-to cookbook with insanely easy, out-of-this-world delicious recipes will help you become the best version of yourself. This cookbook contains over 100 plant-based recipes that are 100% vegan, refined-sugar and flour free, gluten-free optional, and ridiculously easy to prepare.
Available to borrow from Red Deer Public Library at rdpl.org.
Disability Tax Benefits
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit aiding individuals with physical or mental impairments in reducing income tax. It extends to those supporting disabled individuals or their spouses. Applicable at federal and provincial levels, the DTC aims to level the tax playing field between those with and without disabilities. Individuals facing additional costs related to medical care, food, housing, transportation, and personal assistance services can find financial relief by claiming the DTC on their tax return. Moreover, DTC eligibility opens doors to complementary government programs, such as the Registered Disability Savings Plan, Child Disability Benefit, Canada Worker’s Benefit Disability Supplement, and Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit.
Get Relief From Your Allergies
Spring is finally here, and that means seasonal allergies will be on the rise. Seasonal allergies develop when the immune system overreacts to something in the environment, like mold spores or pollen. For people struggling with seasonal allergies, this is a difficult time of the year. Luckily, in the past few years, pharmacists have been granted the ability to prescribe a number of over-the-counter and prescription products to minimize the severity of your symptoms. Talk to a pharmacist today to learn about non-drug, and prescription products to help combat your seasonal allergies. Spring is meant to be enjoyed, so don’t let allergies bring you down.
Natural Relief for Allergies
Combat histamine reactions naturally during allergy season by incorporating quercetin-rich foods like apples, onions, and berries into your diet. Quercetin acts as a natural antihistamine, alleviating symptoms such as sneezing and congestion. Additionally, consume omega-3 fatty acids from fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts to reduce overall allergic responses. Embrace local honey to build pollen tolerance, easing hay fever symptoms. Hydrate with herbal teas like chamomile or nettle, known for their anti-allergenic effects. These holistic approaches provide comprehensive defense against seasonal discomfort, fostering a healthier, allergy-resistant lifestyle. Natural health products like Natural D-Hist works great for additional support. Reach out to our integrative medicine pharmacists’ to discuss which product is right for you!
April Seniors’ Events at RDPL
Downtown Walk & Talk (every Tuesday at 12:15)
First Thursday Concert Series (first Thursday of each month)
Travel Memories (first Wednesday of each month)
Book Clubs (various dates/times)
Beginner Adult Yoga (online every Wednesday at 7 p.m.)
Gardening for Beginners (April 11)
Get Money Smart! Making Cent$ of Money: Budgeting 101 (online on April 16)
Meet & Mingle: 50+ (April 16)
Red Deer Cancer Connect (April 2 & 16)
Readers’ Theatre (April 18)
Sip n’ Stitch (April 18)
Crib, Cards, Coffee and Conversation (April 21)
Claiming Care Medical Expenses
Navigating the financial challenges of supporting aging parents, special needs children, or spouses with severe illnesses often involves significant attendant care expenses. The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) allows individuals to claim annually for attendant care fees incurred in Canada. Eligible expenses include nursing home or full-time care, group homes, in-home attendant care, retirement homes, special schools, or training institutions. Other eligible disabilities span vision, mobility, hearing, feeding, dressing, elimination functions, and mental capacities crucial for daily life. Approval for the (DTC) is necessary to claim these expenses.
Book of the Month:
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig.
The Comfort Book is a collection of little islands of hope, a gathering of consolations, and stories that give us new ways of seeing ourselves and the world. Matt Haig’s mix of philosophy, memoir and self-reflection builds on the wisdom of philosophers and survivors through the ages. This is the book to pick up when you need the wisdom of a friend or the comfort of a hug, or just want to celebrate the messy miracle of being alive.
Available to borrow from Red Deer Public Library.
Nutrition and Arthritis
Arthritis, an inflammatory joint disease with acute crises and dormant periods, brings fatigue, joint stiffness, and pain. Focusing on your diet can help manage symptoms: Control Weight: Excess weight strains joints; maintain a healthy weight through balanced meals. Embrace Omega-3: Fish with omega-3 fatty acids may ease inflammation. Sardines, herring, and mackerel are rich sources, or consider supplements. Balanced Diet: Contact a nutritionist for a personalized plan, adjusting during crises if needed. Seek Assistance: Arthritis’s impact on daily activities may necessitate help, enhancing overall quality of life. Consult with one of our pharmacists to explore how we can assist you.
Nourishing Seniors, Building Communities
In retirement communities, mealtimes are vital for seniors, fostering socialization and delivering essential nutrients. To ensure a wholesome diet, communities prioritize well-balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Seniors, prone to health risks, must maintain good nutrition to avoid weight loss, depression, and weakened immune systems. The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging reports over 5.5 million seniors facing food insecurity. Retirement communities address nutritional challenges by providing chef-prepared communal meals. This approach ensures proper nutrition, fosters a social atmosphere, and creates a well-rounded dining experience for residents.
