Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon began its own Cardiac Rehabilitation Department nearly three decades ago to help fulfill a need in the community - a need that has been and continues to be well utilized.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Half a million people die each year due to this disease. Many people develop symptoms of heart disease when they are in their 40s or 50s, interrupting a most productive time of life. Cardiac Rehabilitation is an important tool in the fight against heart disease. Rehabilitation involves monitored exercise, nutritional counseling, emotional support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce risks of heart problems.

Over 950,000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular disease. Since February is National Heart Month, Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon provides the following facts and tips on heart health:

from the American Institute for Cancer Research

Many people feel more anxious and depressed during the winter months. For some people, these mood changes are so severe that they interfere with life activities and enjoyment. Unfortunately, people affected by the syndrome “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD) often don’t realize that it can be treated through several different light and lifestyle approaches.

Symptoms of SAD include sadness and sluggishness, particularly in the afternoon and evening. There may also be increased desire for sleep, increased appetite and carbohydrate cravings - which often lead to weight gain. These symptoms occur in winter and fade in spring and summer. Official diagnosis of the syndrome requires that these changes occur over three or more winters. Researchers believe that changing levels of sunlight affect the body’s production of serotonin, a hormone which seems to promote positive mood.

The Caregiver Support Group meetings that were held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon continue to be held through conference calls during COVID-19. Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging 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 then be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Contact Kelly Kuennen of Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging at 800-779-8707 with any questions.
 

February is Heart Month.  Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to encourage the public to learn the American Heart Association’s “Hands Only CPR.” This simple way of performing CPR is very easy to do and effective for the victim.

According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death with nearly 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring annually in the United States. On average, 89% of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene.

The American Heart Association has found Hands Only CPR to be as effective as conventional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest at home, at work, or in the public - doubling or even tripling a victim’s chance of survival.

Since 80% of cardiac arrests happen in private or residential settings, learn these simple steps for performing Hands Only CPR to help save the life of someone you love:

The local Grief Support Group will again begin holding monthly meetings at Veterans Memorial Hospital Tuesday, February 9 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Chapel Room, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Feel free to attend and bring a friend, and be sure to wear a mask. All attendees will be able to physically distance during the meeting. This grief support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.
 

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Delores Schellhammer by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Dave and Laurie Martin, Darlena Herman, Les and Ada Marie Kerndt, Dorothy Sandry, Terry and Laurie Welch, Gil and Sherry Hunstad, Marilyn Bulman, Jann Henkes, Harold and Shirley Marti, Glen and Eloise Reed, Dean “Beanzy” Schellhammer, David Winnes, Lois Shindoll, Brent and Denise Beyer and Sherry Halvorson.

Memorials were also received in memory of Doris Berns by Nan Grangaard and Mary Ann Burke; in memory of Dennis Rogers by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, and in memory of Orville Bratrud by Marlys Leiran, Donnalee and Ernie Osland and Jean Huffey.

In addition, memorials were received from Dennis and Sandy Deal, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Don and Dianne Haler and Brad and Erin Berns in memory of David Myers.

A general donation was also received by the Foundation from Ken and Jill Lampman.

Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line, which can be reached at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call a 24/7 resource phone line at 800-383-2988. Whether chatting or calling, a trained Advocate will respond 24 hours a day.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, February 1 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center of Iowa supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products. Many Iowans are encouraged to make donating blood on a regular basis their New Year’s resolution this year.

The LifeServe Blood Center reported a record number of new donors in Waukon since the start of the pandemic, with 14 total new donors during the month of January, making it a very successful blood drive with a total of 59 units collected.

The need for blood does has not stopped during COVID-19 and is in even higher demand so the local blood drives 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.

Exercising is important to do all year round. One should not feel that they need to stay indoors to exercise during cold weather. A good workout outdoors in the winter can be very exhilarating. Just follow the steps below for keeping it a safe outdoor winter workout:

• Warm up longer than usual before heading outdoors in cold weather.
• Keep skin dry. This in turn will keep the exerciser warmer.
• Dress accordingly using many layers. Be sure that the outer layer will break the wind. Add a fluffy layer, like fleece or wool, to trap heat in. And long underwear is good to keep the skin dry.
• Always wear a hat to prevent heat loss through the top of the head.
• Wear mittens instead of gloves to allow air to circulate better between the fingers, keeping the hands warmer.

Always be sure to exercise in a safe, well-lit area. Stay clear of any icy spots and proceed with care in snow. One never knows what may lie under those snow-covered spots.