Health

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, March 19. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if they are not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner.  Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is welcome to do so. All proceeds go towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Anyone interested in attending but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation recently received numerous donations for breast cancer awareness and detection from the Ness Pumping Service fundraiser last October.  Donations were received by the following for that cause:  Sigurd and Barb Ness, Dan and Lori Treangen, Ron and Kim Winters, Mike and Teresa Myers, Dave and Brenda Dougherty, Waukon Feed Ranch, Ness Ridge Nursery, Arlyn and Julie Snitker, Keith and Amy McCormick, Waukon State Bank, Jim and Linda Ryan, Classic Designs-Julie Snitker, LaVonne Hesse, Joyce Kuhse,  Andrew Schlitter and Maureen Fahey, Steve Sweeney, Deb Johnson,  Leo and JoAnn Folsom, Tammy Knudtson, Jim and Mary Winters, Dennis and Nancy Turner, Jerry and Maryann Baker, Marv and Marge Strike, Mary Fink, Bob and Karen Fossum, Janet Kruger, Brad and Erin Berns and family and friends of Ness Pumping Service.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, March 19 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital. 

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or who has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call  Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon will begin its next series of Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, April 13, and the classes will continue for two more consecutive Monday evenings, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.

The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in three sessions that allow the expectant parents to choose which topics they wish to learn more on. They may choose to attend one, two or all three sessions. Session 1 covers labor, delivery and the postpartum period following delivery; Session 2 includes relaxation, breathing and pain management; and Session 3 covers infant care. Tours of the OB Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital are available with each session as well.

by Jill Fleming, MS, RD/LD, Dietitian at Veterans Memorial Hospital

As you try to stay healthy this winter, don’t forget about the magic found in the grocery store. Eating specific nutrient-packed foods will keep your immune system strong, which helps your body fight off viruses and bacteria. Treat yourself to these six immune-boosting foods to stay well during this season of sickness.

1. Citrus Fruits: Don’t wait until you have a cold to turn to vitamin C. Vitamin C helps build up your immune system to fight off infections before they invade your body. Some of the best sources of this flu-fighting vitamin are the citrus fruits; like oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons and limes. Add one of these fruits to your breakfast and another one at a snack later in the day.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care public health department continues to work with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local partners to monitor and respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and has since been detected in other parts of the world, including the U.S.

As Spring Break nears, many Iowans are making travel preparations. IDPH and Community and Home Care remind vacationers to make protecting their health part of their plans. Whether traveling to a sunny beach, a ski resort or enjoying a staycation, take time to learn about and prepare for health concerns.

Across the country, the greatest health risk to northeast Iowa residents is from influenza; however, it is appropriate to take precautions against the COVID-19 virus.

The next Caregiver Support Group meeting will be held Monday, March  16,at 1:30 p.m. in the Meditation Room in the front entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

When a person is diagnosed with a chronic illness, a lot of focus and attention is put on how to keep that person as independent and as healthy as possible. 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 with different skill sets, attitudes and understanding levels, there is no question that there is a very real strain associated with care giving.

Recent studies have estimated that the stress caused just by becoming the caregiver of an adult with a chronic illness or disability will take seven years off of a persons’ life. With more and more Iowans aging, this is a real concern in the local community.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will begin the next Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, April 13, and the classes will continue for two more consecutive Monday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.

The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in three sessions that allow the expectant parents to choose which topics they wish to learn more on. They may choose to attend one, two or all three sessions. Session 1 covers labor, delivery and the postpartum period following delivery; Session 2 includes relaxation, breathing and pain management; and Session 3 covers infant care. Tours of the OB Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital are available with each session as well.

For many Iowans, understanding Medicare and related health insurance can be confusing and overwhelming. Where do I start? What are my options? Am I making the right decision? What will it cost me?  Is there help if I can’t afford my insurance? If I’m still working, do I have to sign up for Medicare?

Trained Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteers can help answer these and other questions about navigating health care insurance options for Iowans on Medicare. SHIIP is a free health insurance counseling service of the State of Iowa Insurance Division sponsored locally by Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, March 19. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if they are not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner.  Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is welcome to do so. All proceeds go towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Anyone interested in attending but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.