Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care has announced it will begin to resume immunizations on an appointment-only basis. During COVID-19, the walk-in immunization clinics will remain on hold, but for those that want to call ahead and make an appointment, they can do so by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions will be given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Immunizations are extremely important. They have eradicated Small Pox, eliminated polio from the Americas and they have almost eliminated Tetanus, Diphtheria and Rubella.  Immunizations have also greatly reduced the occurrence of Measles, Pertussis and  Meningitis. Millions of deaths and other tragedies have also been prevented by vaccines.

by Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, American Institute for Cancer Research

Q: Why do I hear some people making a big deal about how you breathe during exercise like walking or biking? Does it really make a difference?

A: Yes, how you are breathing during aerobic exercise can affect your heart rate and thus your performance and endurance. Many adults have developed a shallow breathing pattern. This limits how much oxygen you can take in, cutting short your ability to continue when you could otherwise go longer or faster. Erratic breathing when exercising can lead you to hyperventilate or get dizzy.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Margaret Halverson by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, JoAnn Peake, Jim and Linda Ryan, Jerry and  Linda Siegrist, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Frank and Patty Goltz, Dave and Laurie Martin, Bob and Julie Rotach, Earl and Bev Haas, Randy and Lori Hesse, Orrin and Nan Grangaard, Penny Wheeler, Steve and Becky Welper, Kent and Donna Schultz, Sue Kratz, Rick and Cathy Larson, Carsten Quam and Deb Ryan, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Darlena Herman, Dave and Barb Hanson, Mike and Sue McMillan, Terry and Diane Oesterle, Dave and Brenda Dougherty, Mark and Tammy Knudtson, Dave and Sandy Lyons, Brian and Denise Wullner, Kay Carter, Bob and Marilyn Bulman, Audrey Angel, Brad and Erin Berns and family and friends of Margaret Halverson.

The regular Caregiver Support Group meetings held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon have been canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. However, this support group is now being held through conference calls. Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432. Then enter the meeting’s participant code 961847#.  You will then be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

When a person loses some of their abilities to care for themselves the burden of care is often assumed by the spouse, a child (or children), or sometimes friends and neighbors. While everyone who becomes a caregiver handles the added responsibility differently, there is no question that there is a very real strain associated with care giving. Contact Kelly Kuennen at 1-800-779-8707 with any questions.
 

Waukon Economic Development, Lansing City Clerk Office, Postville City Clerk Office and Monona Chamber of Commerce are all gratefully for all the homemade face masks they have received.  They have each been collecting and sharing these masks with their local grocery stores who are then handing out these masks to those at risk, especially elderly, customers.

More donations are still needed in an effort to help keep the community healthy.  Masks can be dropped off at the following locations:

· Waukon Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development Office (place in tote at front door, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.  M-F)
· Lansing City Office (place in tote at front door, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F)
· Postville City Office (Place in tote in front of police station door anytime)
· Monona Chamber of Commerce (place in drop off slot in front door anytime).

by Jill Fleming, MS, RD/LD

Sure, you can lose weight quickly. There are plenty of fad diets that work to shed pounds fast, leaving you feeling hungry and deprived. The problem is that most people can only follow these restrictive diets for a short time, eventually going back to their old way of eating. I call this the “diet roller coaster”.

Instead of starting a restrictive diet, which lowers your metabolism, why not adopt a few new choices that can turn into lifelong habits?  The weight you lose with new habits is more likely to be permanent. Here are 10 of my favorite proven habits to promote weight loss:

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation Monday, April 27 allowing the reopening of some business types and lifting gathering requirements for certain counties beginning May 1. The proclamation applies to 77 counties in Iowa where COVID-19 activity remains lowest.

The new guidelines do not apply to organizations in Allamakee County due to ongoing higher levels of COVID-19 activity.

“It’s important for residents and businesses in Allamakee County to remember COVID-19 is still spreading in our community,” said Lisa Moose, Community and Home Care Director. “We aren’t out of the woods yet. There is still a lot of work to be done, so we need everyone to continue practicing social distancing and other public health recommendations to slow the spread of the virus.”

Everyone can do their part by staying home as much as possible, avoiding groups of people, only going out for essentials like groceries and medical care, and staying home if they’re sick.

The regular Caregiver Support Group meetings held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital have been canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. However, this support group is now being held through conference calls. Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432. Then enter the participant code 961847#.  Participants will then be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

The need for blood does not stop, especially during COVID-19. Blood is currently in high demand, so local blood drives will continue to be held. Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood. Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings.

The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held Thursday, May 7 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

by Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist, Veterans Memorial Hospital

I have been blessed to be an occupational therapist in Waukon for 21 years now. I met my husband in Waukon, and now we are raising our two children here among all the wonderful people in Allamakee County.

I have had the opportunity to work in all the different settings such as hospital inpatient and outpatient, home health, nursing homes and schools. I have helped people who were dealing with injuries, accidents, surgeries, diseases and illnesses. I have learned from all of the experiences and from all of the people with whom I have worked with, patients and co-workers.