While we usually associate hearts in February to Valentine’s Day, did you know it’s also Heart Month?
According to 2017-2018 data from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada, second only to cancer. Approximately 2.6 million Canadian adults aged 20 and older live with ischemic heart disease, the most common type of heart disease.

This month-long awareness campaign provides us with an opportunity to focus on the efforts we can make to improve our heart health. Making healthy changes in your daily routine can decrease your risk of heart disease and the Golden Circle offers many ways to help you help your heart!

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 composition of what we eat and the quality of our foods has drastically changed over the past hundred years, and this has made it difficult for even the most health-conscious Canadians to get enough magnesium. Magnesium is involved in many processes throughout the body. Overstimulating these processes will result in an increase in our magnesium requirements. For instance, when we suffer from high stress, our body produces a hormone protein called cortisol. Producing and regulating this hormone means spending and excreting more magnesium. Not all magnesium supplements work the same in your body, reach out to our integrative medicine pharmacists’ to discuss which one is right for you!

The Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre was honoured to receive the 2023 Non-Profit Business of the Year Award! We cannot thank our staff, Board of Directors, volunteers, members, and donors enough for all of your support!

We are having two back-to-back holiday themed lunches on Tuesday, December 12th and Wednesday, December 13th. These two days will be pre-registered meals so please call the Golden Circle at 403-343-6074, or drop by 4620 47A Avenue in Red Deer to register as space is limited!