Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to focus on the 65 and over age group for the COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to be finishing with that age group soon before they move onto the next tier.

For those age 65 years and above who want to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Veterans Memorial Hospital encourages them to either call the COVID-19 line at 563-568-3411 or use the online sign-up option to join a waiting list. Those online sign-up details are listed later in this article. When vaccine is available, those on the list will be called to schedule an appointment. Specific directions will be given as to the location of the vaccination clinic, as well as an appointment time.

Those waiting to receive their second vaccine will receive a phone call to schedule an appointment for their second dose approximately 2 - 7 days before it is due; they should not sign up on-line for that second dose.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 10 for a total of 40 students.  This year, the class will be broken down into two different sessions to allow for better spacing of the students. The morning session will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and the afternoon session from 1-4 p.m. The same information will be taught at both sessions, so students can sign-up for one session or the other.  A total of 20 students will be allowed in each session. Both will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls are not the sole babysitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

Health Tips From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Veterans Memorial Hospital Wellness Committee

March is National Nutrition Month. Building a healthy plate is easy when you make half your plate fruits and vegetables. It’s also a great way to add color, flavor and texture plus vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Make 1½ cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables your daily goal. Try the following tips to enjoy more fruits and vegetables every day.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Maureen Becker by Norb and Nola Palmer, Brian and Denise Wullner, Ron and Nancy Adam, Robert and Marilyn Bulman, Linda Flatland, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Dave and Laurie Martin, Terry and Diane Oesterle, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Pat Pettingill, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Meg Schaller, Jerry and  Linda Siegrist, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Mary Jo Nordheim and Carl and Betty Christianson.

Memorials were also received in memory of Robert “Bobbie” Becker by Steve and Denise Duffy, Patsy Kerndt, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Dave and Gail Prestemon and Waukon State Bank.

Two weeks ago, a direct mailing was sent out to the entire Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) service area outlining the current renovation project for the new Medical Clinic the hospital will be opening in May. The former Mayo Clinic building, which is adjoined to and is now owned by Veterans Memorial Hospital, is the site for this clinic.  With the loss of the Mayo Health System Waukon Clinic a year ago, accessibility to local family practice providers has been dangerously limited.

Veterans Memorial Hospital and Allamakee County Public Health would like to alert the public that they will receive a phone call to schedule an appointment for their second dose approximately two to seven days before it is due; do not sign up online for that second shot.

For those 65 years of age and older who want to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Veterans Memorial Hospital encourages use of the online sign-up option to join a waiting list. When vaccine is available, those on the list will be called to schedule an appointment.

Specific directions will be given as to the location of the vaccination clinic, as well as an appointment time.

Note that Veterans Memorial Hospital’s and Allamakee County Public Health’s phone numbers come up as “Unknown” on a Caller-ID system. We are asking those who are waiting to be contacted regarding their COVID-19 vaccination to answer their phones if they receive an “Unknown” telephone call.

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

You may have heard about Green Smoothies, but have you ever tasted one?  If not, you may want to reconsider.  Here is a short list of why you will gladly add a Green Smoothie to your daily diet. We have provided two recipes for you to try.  Feel free to substitute any of your favorite fruits or vegetables.

To Lose Weight: When I work with weight loss patients, one of the easiest ways for them to start losing weight is to add more fruit,  vegetables and water to their daily diets. My most successful weight loss clients are now eating a total of eight to 10 servings of fruit or vegetables daily. To easily reach this goal; eat more vegetable-based soups, make omelets loaded with vegetables and drink green smoothies often.

Veterans Memorial Hospital was made aware last week of an email scam involving the hospital name.  The email subject line states, “Your credit card has expired” and has the name, Veterans Memorial Hospital, at the top of the email.  Veterans Memorial Hospital does not have any association with this email and wishes to warn anyone who receives it to delete it immediately.   In fact, spam emails such as this should never be opened or forwarded to anyone.  They should just be deleted.

For any questions on any emails or phone calls you may have suspiciously received from the hospital, please feel free to call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 for more information.

The Caregiver Support Group meetings that were held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital, continue to be held through conference calls during COVID-19.  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# to be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Again this week, Allamakee County Public Health received 300 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the State of Iowa that was administered to those in Tier 1B within one week.  These doses continue to be divided between the collaborating vaccine partners including Hartig Drug,

The Prescription Shoppe, Gundersen Clinic and Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinic who all administer them to individuals age 65 and older.

Allamakee County Public Health department continues to focus on vaccinating the additional tier groups in Phase 1B (such as teachers, school staff, fire departments, social workers, day care providers, etc.)

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s online sign up option for those wishing to get on a waiting list for the vaccine has been working well. When vaccine is available, those on the list will be called to schedule an appointment for the vaccine. Specific directions will be given as to the location of the vaccination clinic as well as appointment time.