Health

Wed
28
Aug

Caregiver Support Group to meet at Veterans Memorial Hospital

The next Caregiver Support Group meeting will be held Monday, September 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.

Wed
28
Aug

Memorials received by Health Care Foundation

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Charles Berns by Ray and Mary Ann Burke, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Joel and Teresa Sommer, Alex and Teresa Schaegers, Dave and Sandy Lyons, Dave and Rita Newton, Jane Dietrich, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Orrin and Nan Grangaard and Mary Schulte.

Memorials were also received in memory of Gladys Heitman by Patsy Kerndt, in memory of Roger Espe by Jackie Westby, and in memory of Donny Vine by Jim and Jill Kiesau.

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 the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

Wed
28
Aug

Diabetes Support Group to meet

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, September 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 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.

Wed
28
Aug

Grief Support Group to meet

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Tuesday, September 10 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 meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Wed
21
Aug

Patients need to ask for skilled care following a surgery, illness or accident


Cardiac Rehabilitation at VMH ... In addition to skilled care, Karen Milton benefited from Cardiac Rehabilitation at Veterans Memorial Hospital following heart surgery. She is pictured seated on the NuStep machine with cardiac rehab nurse Dietsy Weymiller, RN, in the cardiac rehab unit. Submitted photo.

Skilled care at VMH ... Skilled care is a very beneficial option for patients to remain in the hospital following an accident, injury or surgery for faster recovery. But in many cases, patients need to ask for this skilled care option. Karen Milton of Lansing knew to ask her providers to send her to Veterans Memorial Hospital for skilled care following her surgeries. Pictured above with Karen are her therapists Melissa Clarke, Occupational Therapist (left) and Amy Robinson, Physical Therapist (right). Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital has many patients that utilize the skilled care or swing bed option of care following a surgery, illness or accident.  This level of care, following a three day or more acute stay in the hospital, allows the patient to have medications given, pain controlled, and most importantly, the patient qualifies for more rehabilitation than if they are discharged directly to their home.

Patients who have surgery or hospitalization at Veterans Memorial Hospital or any other health care facility may qualify to return to VMH for the advantages of skilled care. But in many cases, patients need to learn to ask their provider to be considered for skilled care.

Wed
21
Aug

Memorials received by Health Care Foundation

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Ruth Hanson by Lesa Moose, in memory of Gene Shogren by Dave and Laurie Martin, in memory of Lorna Kolsrud by Dave and Laurie Martin, in memory of Marty Melcher by Roger, Karen and Lisa Melcher families and in memory of Steve Wild by Randy and Karen Loeb, Patsy Kerndt and Dan and Traci Byrnes.

Memorials were also received in memory of Carol Miene by Cyril and Shirley Larkin, Darlena Herman, Ernie and Donnalee Osland,  Rick and Cathy Larson, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Mavis Berns, Bill and Beth Shafer, Alice Schlacke, Joan Bieber, and Brad and Erin Berns.

In addition, memorials were received by Jim and Linda Ryan, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Patsy Kerndt and Jim and Jill Kiesau in memory of Matt Regan.

Wed
21
Aug

Simple blood donation steps that save lives

The next Waukon Community Blood Drive will take place Thursday, September 5 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Everyone who registers to donate blood goes through four simple steps during the donation process:  registration, donor history and mini-physical, blood donation and snacks. Below are a few tips for ensuring a successful donation:

- Get a good night’s sleep before blood donation.
- Eat a good meal before donating blood. Do not donate on an empty stomach.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Bring a photo ID or Blood Donor ID Card to the appointment.
- Those who are 16 or 17 years old and have never donated blood with LifeServe Blood Center should get a signed Parental/Guardian Permission Form. For more information or to schedule to donate call 800-287-4903.
 

Wed
14
Aug

Learn how to “Stop the Bleed” plus free blood sugar diabetes tests and blood pressure checks in VMH’s First Aid Tent at Waukon Corn Days

“Stop the Bleed” training ...
“Stop the Bleed Training” will be offered by Veterans Memorial Hospital during Waukon Corn Days Friday, August 16. Pictured above is a scene from the recent “Stop the Bleed” training at the hospital’s Safety Camp held earlier this summer. Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering free Blood Sugar Testing and Blood Pressure checks with immediate results at the Waukon Corn Day celebration Friday, August 16.  The tests will be performed by Veterans Memorial Hospital staff, in the Veterans Memorial Hospital first aid tent located at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds from 4:30-8:00 p.m. Both of these checks take just a few seconds to perform and are free of charge.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will also be offering hands on “Stop the Bleed Training” that will be offered the entire evening.  Adults and children will learn how to quickly stop a life-threatening bleed by packing a puncture wound or laceration, then applying pressure, and even learn how to safely apply a tourniquet for heavy bleeds.  A booklet will also be handed out giving step by step instructions to all those who pass by. Participation prizes will be awarded for the training.

Wed
14
Aug

Family Fun Run/Walk with optional 5K during Waukon Corn Days; A free event

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be sponsoring their annual 5K Cardiac Classic Run/Walk Saturday, August 17, in conjunction with the Waukon Corn Days celebration. Again this year, the event welcomes a shorter 1.5 mile walking route with an optional 5K (3.1 route) to offer distances that will please everyone of any age or ability that wishes to participate.

The event will begin and end at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 8 a.m. with registration beginning at 7 a.m. This is a free wellness event for all ages. New this year, costumes are encouraged to be worn at this event by adults and youth with the top costume in both categories earning a prize!

Wed
14
Aug

The importance of keeping your children’s immunizations up to date

by Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN, Public Health Supervisor, VMH Community and Home Care

One of the tasks each year parents experience is getting their children’s immunizations up to date. Common questions include: What is my child’s immunization status? Are they caught up? What do they need?  What is that one for?

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Health