Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre has partnered with Happipad, the developer of Canada’s first web-based companion housing platform, to expand affordable shared housing opportunities specifically for vulnerable population segments including seniors, students, people with disabilities, and recent immigrants. This partnership is supported in part by funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the National Housing Strategy Demonstrations Initiative. To learn more, please contact Monica Morrison 403-343-6074.
Happipad is a Canadian technology company based in Kelowna BC. Founded in 2017, Happipad is a leader in developing innovations to support and expand companion housing opportunities. Happipad has created Canada’s first companion housing web-based platform which enables safe, peer-to-peer formation and management of cohabitation arrangements.

Today’s active seniors are looking to get the most out of their retirement. When weighing the options for senior living, consider how much the senior living industry has grown in the last five years. Independent living has become a retirement haven for seniors who want flexibility and peace of mind. It is designed for the independent senior with an active lifestyle who wants to simplify their worries of home maintenance, commuting, safety, social isolation, and health. Senior living in an independent living community is designed to streamline your life to give you the time to do the things you want to do.

Collagen makes up 90% of your body’s protein, and is vital for our skin, bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments, acting like glue for joints. The body’s ability to produce collagen naturally decreases as we age, and excess sun exposure, smoking and poor diet can also inhibit collagen production. It’s no surprise that people reach for collagen for wrinkles, cellulite, stretch marks, and joint health and comfort. The depletion of collagen may lead to joint challenges, and visible signs like sagging skin. When you consider collagen’s potential to support our joints, bones, and skin, it becomes obvious why this multitasking protein is on everybody’s radar.

Many of us are fully aware we don’t get enough sleep at night. Did you know just one night of even minor sleep deprivation (6 hours or less) can wreak havoc on your heart? Several published studies from the European Heart Journal concluded that just one night of sleeplessness can put your heart at risk for many pathologies, increasing one’s risk of cardiovascular disease by 48%. Studies showed that your chance of death by coronary artery disease (CAD) almost double with continual sleep deprivation. For more information check out our blog on our website www.dreamsleep.ca

It might come as a surprise, but there is a connection between heart health and hearing. Both rely on blood flow, so heart problems that cause plaque buildup in the arteries and restrict blood flow can potentially damage ears. Nerves in the ears can also be damaged by poor circulation. Studies have shown that the better someone’s cardiovascular health, the better their hearing tends to be. It’s important that older adults eat a healthy, balanced diet; get regular exercise; quit smoking and have their hearing tested every two years, to help maintain a healthy heart, and therefore healthy ears.

A recent study suggests that playing video games for 30 minutes a day could help older adults gradually fight the effects of dementia by improving memory function. Games that involve a 3D environment with more advanced graphics appear to be more effective, as they offer more immersive gameplay. During the study, participants were asked to play video games for about 30 to 45 minutes per day over four weeks. Improvements in both cognition and memory skills were found in the group that played video games with 3D graphics. This could offer a simple and fun anti-dementia approach for older adults!

Golden Circle Outreach services connect people who need help to our basket of services or other services in the community that will make their life easier and safer. Our staff have helped apply for the Action Bus, connect them to Red Deer Meals on Wheels, so that they can get a hot meal delivered at noon Monday to Friday. We help them get a Lifeline system from the Friends of Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Help with Alberta Senior Benefits and income tax. Staff have helped people fill out application forms for CPP and OAS as well as AISH. We are here to help people get the supports and services they need to remain independent. Please reach out, ask your questions and we will help you get the information that you need. We are only a call away at 403-343-6074.

The Prevention information You Need to Know
Falls. One of the leading causes for hospital visits for people of all ages throughout our Province. In 2017, Albertans visited the Emergency Room or an Urgent Care facility 154,004 times and 17,489 Alberta’s were hospitalized due to falls.

Falls can happen in your home, while playing your favourite sport, while chasing your babies/grandbabies around the house or the park, on vacation while your craning your neck to take in all the sights and sounds or if your like me… walking up the stairs.

While activity is key to healthy aging, so is falls prevention. There are several excellent resources the Golden Circle circulates through the community and with Falls Prevention Month kicking off in November, you can bet we will be sharing even more to our community to support active living and falls prevention.

Ms. Bonnie Lewis
Community Outreach Program Coordinator
Golden Circle Resource Centre

The Golden Circle was fortunate to receive a donation from the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Red Deer to continue a painting initiative that started with the December fundraiser, Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp Quarantine Art Auction. The auction was held online with several of the World Junior players and staff participating. Funds raised went to local charities and the Golden Circle was one of the recipients. We have organized an opportunity to connect new senior artists online with an instructor to learn acrylic painting to inspire a new creative outlet. Thank you once again to the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Red Deer.

The Golden Circle frozen meal program made and distributed 22,571 frozen meals between March 16, 2020 and April 9, 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also provided 668 potpies and 1,137 servings of soup. Our frozen meal program has been in high demand and we have had to add a number of freezers to keep up with the demand. We deliver the meals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays free of charge during COVID so people do not have to go out. If you want to try our meals because you’re tired of cooking or are not cooking for yourself, please give us a call at 403-343-7064. Our frozen meal menu is also available on our website at www.goldencircle.ca. When you are ordering your frozen meals, consider ordering one of Grandma’s Pies for dessert, which are being delivered along with the frozen meals.