Community News
September Events for Seniors at RDPL

Red Deer Cancer Connect (Sept. 2 & 16) First Thursday Concert Series (Sept. 4) Ukrainian Heritage Fair (Sept. 13)
Readers’ Theatre (Sept. 18)
Sip n’ Stitch (Sept. 18)
Затишні Вечори: Cozy Evenings for Ukrainian Seniors (Sept. 18)
Fraud & Scam Prevention Session (Sept. 24)
Roots and Branches: Genealogy at the Library (Sept. 27)
Everyone’s A Critic! by Grant Tilly: New Play Reading (Sept. 28)
Book Clubs (various dates/times)
For full details, visit rdpl.org/events

Book of the Month:

The Brain at Rest: How the Art and Science of Doing Nothing Can Improve Your Life by Joseph Jebelli
Perfect for readers interested in science and creativity, or anyone feeling overwhelmed in their day-to-day life, The Brain at Rest is a deeply-researched and entertaining antidote to burnout that definitively proves how even 5 to 10 minutes of doing nothing can better our lives.
Available to borrow from Red Deer Public Library at rdpl.org

Arthritis Awareness Month

Arthritis encompasses over 100 diseases that cause inflammation in the joints or other areas of the body. These conditions fall into two main categories: osteoarthritis—the most common type, caused by cartilage breakdown—and inflammatory arthritis, an autoimmune disorder. While arthritis can affect almost any joint, it most often impacts the hips, knees, spine, and fingers. This chronic condition may be constant or recur over months, years, or a lifetime. Symptoms range from mild discomfort to severe pain and can lead to disability over time. Speak with our pharmacists to discover treatments, strategies, and supports that can help you manage arthritis effectively.

September Trivia

.1 – In holistic wellness, what term describes the body’s natural ability to heal itself? 2. – Which fruit contains an enzyme that can break down proteins and is often used as a meat tenderizer? 3. – What pigment gives orange carrots their distinctive color, and is a precursor to vitamin A in the human body?

Exercise for a Healthy Mind

Regular exercise boosts brain function in seniors by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and stimulating the release of chemicals that support brain cell health. Activities like walking, swimming, or yoga enhance memory, focus, and problem-solving skills while lowering the risk of cognitive decline. Exercise also supports better sleep and mood, reducing anxiety and depression, which are linked to poor brain health. Studies show that consistent physical activity can even slow the progression of dementia and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. For seniors, staying active is not just about physical fitness—it’s a powerful tool for maintaining a sharp and healthy mind.

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.