Reliable Home Care is dedicated to serving with compassion, dignity and respect. We strive to provide in-home care services that are custom-tailored to meet diverse needs of various age groups; from assisting individuals with medical ailments to supporting vibrant centenarians. Trusted by hospital OT’s and PT’s for post-hospital care, and relied upon by assisted living and personal care homes for resident support, we prioritize inclusivity and personalized care. Reliable Home Care’s commitment to diversity is reflected in a contemporary approach, ensuring everyone feels valued and supported.
Community News
How Alcohol Affects The Brain
Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. Alcohol makes it harder for the brain areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgement to connect. This results in a higher likelihood of injuries, impaired use of a motorized vehicle, and other negative outcomes.
Speech: Becomes slurred and inarticulate as consumption increases.
Vision: Both depth perception and peripheral vision are affected by alcohol use.
Hearing: Hearing also diminishes. That is the reason at an event the volume of speech rises, as hearing diminishes.
Memory Impairments: Alcohol can have a particular disruptive effect on human memory. 1) Encoding – storing information in short-term memory banks. 2) Consolidation – transferring and integrating the information to long-term memory in a lasting form; and 3) Retrieval – the retrieval of the information from long term memory banks.
Blackouts: It is not a question of not remembering – there is no memory to retrieve. Alcohol impairs the encoding so the information was never transferred to the Long-term memory banks. At an event where people are drinking – some seem to repeat the same story over and over again – with no memory of having done so. If it is not transferred within a few minutes it is lost.
Passing Out: Alcohol is a depressant that impacts the whole body, including the central nervous system (the brain), cardiovascular system (the heart), and respiratory system (the lungs and breathing). When someone drinks too much alcohol, or too quickly, it can overwhelm or suppress the healthy performance of these systems. Essentially the individual has anaesthetised their brain. A person can die from alcohol poisoning if their respiratory system (breathing) shuts down. This is a very dangerous situation and the person may die of alcohol poisoning (overdose).
Can the Brain Recover?
The extent of the brain’s capacity to return to “normal” after long term sobriety is not fully understood. Research is indicating that some alcohol induced brain changes in thinking, feeling, and behaving can improve and possibly reverse with months of abstinence. There is also evidence that the brain rewires – other circuits can compensate to hep restore compromised function.
The Effect of Alcohol on Women
Women are more vulnerable to the effect of alcohol due to metabolic differences, with increased risk of cancers of the mouth, breast, liver, colon, even at low levels of consumption. Alcohol-related cognitive decline and shrinkage of the brain develop more quickly for women than men. Women who drink are also at risk of damage to the heart muscle at lower levels of consumption and over fewer years of drinking than men.
Alcohol & The Adolescent Brain
The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to alcohol-related harm. When adolescents drink, alcohol can disrupt critical brain development and interfere with structural patterns and functional development. There is an increased risk for developing alcohol use disorders not only during adolescence but also in adulthood.
The Real Dangers of Alcohol
Alcohol has been designated a #1 preventative cancer causer by the World Health Organization (WHO) and by Health Canada, along with asbestos, radiation and tobacco. The WHO published a statement in The Lancet that there is “no safe amount of alcohol consumption that is safe for our health”, particularly during pregnancy. Alcohol causes at least 7 types of cancer, including the liver (cirrhosis), bowel, and breast cancer. The risk of developing cancer increases substantially the more alcohol that is consumed. Binge drinking raises alcohol levels quickly for men (4-5) drinks, women (3 -4 drinks) to (0.08 %) within two hours.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
“Why do we eat healthy?” asked Susy. “For superpowers,” Mom replied. “Carrots help you see through walls!” Now she’s hooked, convinced that each bite will help her become a real-life superhero!
May is Celiac Awareness Month
During this month, help us spread awareness for Celiac disease. Celiac disease is a chronic digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine. The disease is triggered by eating foods containing gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine’s lining and prevents it from absorbing nutrients. The intestinal damage often causes diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia, and can lead to serious complications. Your doctor will explain the gluten-free diet and may refer to you a registered dietitian who specializes in treating people who have celiac disease.
Community Spotlight: Misericordia Terrace
Misericordia Terrace is a new apartment building with 97 brand new one- and two-bedroom apartments. Every apartment has its own washer and dryer, fridge/freezer, microwave, and blinds included. Leases are on a month-to-month basis and include lunch and dinner served daily in the dining room, most utilities, and weekly housekeeping. A key feature of our residence is the sense of community- we encourage our residents to engage in social and recreational activities. Located on the edge of the Wolseley area, this residence is perfect to be central to your family members. The area is renowned for its close proximity to walking paths and green spaces, pharmacies, churches, libraries, shops and more!
Allergy Season Is Back
Many people suffering from seasonal hypersensitivities, such as head pressure, itchy eyes, and a runny or stuffy nose this allergy season will find only temporary relief, or no relief at all, from over-the-counter remedies. Alternative approaches, such as nutritional supplementation and Biofeedback focus on more than just symptomatic relief. They enable the body’s ability to remove existing allergens embedded in the sinus tissues, thereby minimizing the histamine and inflammatory reactions. This stops the over-production of mucus that the body makes to try and push the allergens out. Take a different approach this allergy season – treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
Avoid Denture DIY
Trying to adjust or repair your denture yourself can easily cause irreparable and permanent damage and negatively affect how they fit. If you break your denture, if a tooth falls out, if you notice they’re cracked, or if they’re simply uncomfortable and you’re feeling like they need an adjustment, a professional denturist can help. Denturists will ensure that any repairs are completed properly, eliminating any problems that could occur if you try to fix your dentures yourself. Most adjustments can be made while you wait, and today’s modern technology means that many repairs can be completed within an hour.
