Health

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.

by Amy Robinson, PT
Director, Veterans Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation

In order to avoid hurting the back when shoveling snow from the sidewalk or driveway, be sure to warm up your muscles before you begin. Walk a few minutes or march in place. Stretch the muscles in the arms and legs, because warm muscles will work more efficiently and be less likely to be injured.

It is also important to pick the appropriate shovel for yourself. A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body. Be sure to lift with your legs and not your back. Bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible so that the lifting comes from your leg muscles and keeps the strain off of your back.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Julie Christianson by Trent and Lori Jacobs, Dave and Laurie Martin, Lorraine Drew, Mary Ann Hager, Marilyn Bulman, Richard and Susan Schulte, James and Jill Kiesau and Dennis and Sandy Deal.

Memorials were also received in memory of Maury Gallagher by Dave and Laurie Martin, Pat Pettingill, Dr. David and Susan Hahn, Mary Ann Hager, Lorraine Gallagher and family and friends of Maury Gallagher.

Memorials were received in memory of Rita Kregel by Mary Ann Hager and in memory of Robert “Bob” Malli by Gwen Brainard.

In addition, a general donation was received by Lawrence and  Marsha Benda as well as a donation for both breast cancer detection and diabetes education from Mary Ann Baker.

Ness Pumping and Porta Potty Rentals, along with Monroe Auction Service, hosted its fourth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Saturday, October 24 in the Waukon City Park to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and detection. Breast Cancer survivors were asked to sign a pink porta potty sporting the breast cancer ribbon, t-shirts were distributed and refreshments served.

The two families awarded the proceeds raised from that walk to Veterans Memoria Hospital to be used towards the 3D mammography machine at the hospital.  The $3,200 donation helps Veterans Memorial Hospital finance this 3D mammography machine, which is clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, while simultaneously decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing.

The statistical benefits of digital 3D mammography include the following:

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, January 7, 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 blood and blood products. Many Iowans are encouraged to make donating blood on a regular basis their New Year’s resolution this year.

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. 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.

Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff will be awaiting the arrival of the first baby born at the hospital in the New Year 2021. This fortunate child and his or her family will receive a large number of beautiful gifts compliments of area merchants.

The first baby of the year will receive the following:

Allamakee County Public Health would like to acknowledge that there is a lot of information and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 vaccine availability. We have received numerous phone calls with questions concerning who is eligible to receive this vaccination and when.

Our office is preparing to receive and administer the vaccine, but we are asking for the public’s patience throughout this process. We are aware that the demand significantly outweighs the supply we will initially be provided with. We are required to follow a vaccine prioritization schedule set by the CDC and IDPH that currently includes frontline healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

Note there are no waiting lists available to get on at our facility or other medical clinics in our area. When it is time for others in the community to be vaccinated, we will notify the public. Continue to monitor our website, social media pages, local radio and newspaper for updates.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Jim Klocke by Merlyn and Alyce Klocke, Ruth Ann Teff, Joan and Romandus Gisleson, Cyril and Shirley Larkin, Joan Bieber, Ronald and Nancy Adam, Curtis and Betty Gilbertson, George and Lorna Miller and Jan Ellingson.

Memorials were also given in memory of Doris E. Saboe by Jane Dietrich, Beverly Krambeer, Delora and Monte Dundee; in memory of Barb Leppert by Patsy Kerndt; and in memory of Delores Paus by Dave and Laurie Martin, Fred and Geralyn Smith and Dorothy Sandry.
In addition, memorials were received in memory of Bernard Welsh by Dave and Laurie Martin, Mary Ann Hager, Mary Schulte, Arlen and Karlene Wonderlich, Diane Regan and Patsy Kerndt.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Urgent Care is open every Monday-Friday from 5-7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and also holidays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. This holiday season, Urgent Care will be offered at the following times during the holidays:            

• Thursday, December 24  9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Friday, December 25  9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Friday, January 1  9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The hospital offers Urgent Care in addition to 24 hour a day Emergency Room (ER) services each and every day. Every hour of every day, the hospital’s ER is staffed with an emergency provider to see ER patients with little waiting.  Urgent Care is offered every day as well including every weeknight, weekend and holiday when the local clinic is closed. Urgent Care is designed for treating injuries or illnesses requiring immediate medical care, but not serious enough to require an emergency department visit.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will be the recipients of the COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as they arrive.

There is a lot of information in the news regarding the new COVID-19 vaccine.  The process of administering the vaccinations locally is explained below by Allamakee County Public Health:

• COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed in phases and Public Health will adhere to guidelines and plans as provided by Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).
• The first allotment -  Phase 1A - will be prioritized for long-term care facilities and healthcare workers.
• The vaccine is not yet available to the general public and healthcare providers are not able to give it to their patients at this time.

Allamakee County Public Health asks for the community to have patience as they navigate this process.  They will keep the public updated with vaccine information via newspaper, radio and social media.