Health

The 2018 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy was held last weekend, November 9-12 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon and was a huge success thanks to all of the overwhelming community involvement. A record number of auction items were donated to this year’s Fantasy by area businesses and individuals.  The 114 auction items were displayed and auctioned on a silent auction bid to the highest bidder Monday night at 7 p.m.

by Angie Mettille, RN/BSN, CDE, Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Educator

Type 2 Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people in the United States. It is caused by insulin resistance and/or deficiency, causing blood sugars to be too high. You likely know someone that has diabetes, or maybe have been diagnosed with diabetes yourself. Even if you have never been told that you have diabetes, it is important to be aware of symptoms of elevated blood sugars, also called hyperglycemia.

So how do you know if you have hyperglycemia? Whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes or not, it is important to listen to your body and be proactive if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, as they could be related to diabetes:

- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Recurrent infections
- Injuries that heal more slowly than usual
- Blurry vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue.

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Tuesday, December 4, which is earlier than normal this month due to the holidays. The group will meet at 5 p.m. in the Education Conference Room.

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. This grief support usually meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital but again has been moved up to December 4 due to the holidays.
 

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Rita Votsmier by Dave and Laurie Martin, Dennis and Sandy Deal, Tom and Karen Regan, Vernis Haberichter, David and Suzanne Hahn, Jerry and Malinda Berns, Kate Wooden, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Dave and Rita Newton, Jim and Linda Ryan, Meg Schaller, Orrin and Nan Grangaard, Frank and Carol Sivesind, Jack and Denise Hager, Scott and Cheryl Livingston, Gary and Toni Kolsrud, Brian and Mandy O’Neill, Grace Murphy, Jane Tepesch, Jane Dietrich, Mike and Julie Snitker, Bob and Joyce Schorg, Wendy Bucheit, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Joan Bieber, Vincent Haas and family and friends of Rita Votsmier.

Memorials were also received in memory of Lavone “Bonnie” Johnson by Rick and Cathy Larson, John and Lorna Kerndt, Sr., Mae Jean Bakke, Betty White and Jerry and Linda Siegrist.

by Lisa Moose, RN, VMH Community and Home Care Director
 
As our elderly population continues to grow and individuals desire to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible, home health care will continue to be a driving force in health care delivery in the next century.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is a locally-based, home health care agency serving Allamakee and the surrounding counties. Nine registered nurses and five home care aides travel the county and beyond the county borders to offer assistance to individuals who wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible, or who need some assistance while they are recovering from an illness or recent surgery, often times after being hospitalized.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care continues to offer flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during its regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, November 14 from 1-4 p.m. and again Wednesday, November 21 from 1-6 p.m., and each Wednesday afternoon thereafter. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots are always offered as well.

Don’t miss the Medicare annual open enrollment period for Part D drug plans which runs through December 7. Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon has SHIIP counselor Russ Hagen available by appointment to discuss Medicare Part D plans available for 2019 and Medicare Advantage.

Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule an appointment and those enrolling need to bring their Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of medications from their pharmacy which includes drug name, quantity and dosage.

This SHIIP volunteer is available throughout the year at Veterans Memorial Hospital. To make an appointment with a SHIIP volunteer, call the hospital at 563-568-3411.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Donald Sherman by Marv and Marge Strike, Jim and Linda Ryan, Rick and Cathy Larson, Dave and Laurie Martin, Randy and Karen Loeb, Jane Dietrich, Carol Krumme, Don and DiAnne Haler, Virgil and Debbie Thorstenson, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Marian Smedsrud, Marilyn Bulman, Kay Carter, Mae Jean Bakke, Charlotte Reeder, Dan and Sue Schlitter, Marlys Leiran, Mary Ann Hager, Ruby Schoh, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Dennis and Sandy Deal, John and Lorna Kerndt, Dean and Juanita Thorstenson and family and friends of Donald “Don” Sherman.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, November 15.  Men and women are welcome to attend, even if 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 more than welcome to do so. The cost is $3 per person with all proceeds going 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 Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, November 15 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, which is located on the lower level of the hospital.

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