Health

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Irene Steele by Patsy Kerndt, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Jane Dietrich, and Deb Ryan and Carsten Quam.

Memorials were also received in memory of Lloyd Schulte by Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Bev Shafer, Mary Ann Hager, Carl and Julie Johnson, Dave and Laurie Martin, Bill and Beth Shafer, Ron and Nancy Adam, Maury Mooney, Sheila Clair and Diane Regan.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Sharon Conlan Furlong by Mavis Berns, Brad and Erin Berns, Brent and Anne Berns, Lisa and Craig Anderson and Bryan and Laura Arensdorf.

Memorials and donations are appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

The local COVID-19 numbers are again on the rise. Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care declares that “masks are a must” when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and should be worn by everyone whenever outside the home.

Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN of Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Public Health Department states, “We can still enjoy those outdoor, fall activities, but we must follow the safety guidelines outlined by the CDC. Masks really do work to stop the spread of COVID-19 so please wear them in public places, especially the grocery and convenience stores.”

Mooney adds, “Always physically distance from one another even when you are wearing a mask and wash your hands frequently. No one wants to be quarantined for two weeks, so please always take these precautions to keep yourself and others safe.”

Below are the recommendations on how to stop the spread of COVID-19 from the Iowa Department of Public Health:

The local blood drives continue to be held during COVID-19 since the need for blood is in more demand than ever. 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 Monday, October 5 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

Veterans Memorial Hospital, in cooperation with the American Heart Association, is offering a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for lay people (those not working in healthcare). These individuals would include child care providers, Wednesday, October 21 from 5-8 p.m.

The CPR class, which will cover adult, child and infant CPR, will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital. The cost of the class, for certification or recertification, is the same. Upon successful completion of the class, the participant will receive an electronic card certifying them in Heartsaver CPR AED for a two-year time period. This class does not include a first aid certification.

Pre-registration plus minimum of three participants is required for the class to be held. All participants will be required to physically distance during the class and wear a mask. They will also be screened at the hospital main entrance when they enter the building.

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 be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging is reaching out to extend this program during COVID-19. Contact Kelly Kuennen of Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging at 800-779-8707 with questions.
 

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Burnell Sander by Patsy Kerndt and James and Dorothy Jarmes; in memory of Jean Lydon by Fred and Geralyn Smith, Dave and Laurie Martin, Jerry and Linda Siegrist and Dan and Traci Byrnes; and in memory of Margaret Blake by Don and DiAnne Haler, Patsy Kerndt and Carl and Betty Christianson.

Memorials were also received in memory of Cleo Heying by John and Sharon Dean; in memory of Judy Hartong by Patsy Kerndt; and in memory of Judi Iseli by Ron and Lisa Moose, Kay Snitker, Jim and Jan Olsen, Patsy Kerndt, Bob and Barb Leppert, and Gayle Larkin.

Memorials and donations are greatly appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

Pictured above are a few members of the Veterans Memorial Hospital patient care staff, who ask that any patient coming into the hospital be sure to bring all medications from home along with them. Having the actual bottles in hand with the correct name and dose of each medication helps the medical staff to more quickly assess the needs of the patient. “We want to give the best care to all of our patients quickly, so we can get them back on their feet as soon as possible,” states Ruth Hageman, RN, Nursing Supervisor. “It can be hard to remember the exact medications and doses you are taking when you are not feeling well. Having the actual medications in hand helps us walk through the admission process much more smoothly and precisely. This also helps at discharge making for accurate new prescriptions and refills before patients go home.” Submitted photo.
 

The world of health supplements can be daunting.  This is especially true of omega-3 supplements and fish oil.  We’ve all heard that we need an omega-3 supplement for our health, but determining which to choose can be overwhelming with too many options.

Why take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement?
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for reducing inflammation throughout the body. This is why they are believed to help prevent heart attack, stroke and joint pain. Omega 3s prevent blood from clotting excessively; maintain cell membranes; lower the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides circulating in the bloodstream; reduce the risk of obesity and improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels.

The local blood drives continue to be held during COVID-19 since the need for blood is in more demand than ever. 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 Monday, October 5 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care has availabilities for immunizations which are now held 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 are 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.