Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital will begin the next Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, April 8, and will continue for two more consecutive Monday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.

The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in three sessions that allow the expectant parents to choose which topics they wish to learn more on. They may choose to attend one, two or all three sessions. Session 1 covers labor, delivery and the postpartum period following delivery; Session 2 includes relaxation, breathing and pain management; and Session 3 covers infant care. Tours of the OB Department are available with each session as well.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering the next course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMTs, etc.) Wednesday, April 17, beginning at 5 p.m. This “Health Care Professional” CPR class 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 and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask. The online certificate received certifies attendants in CPR for two years.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required. For more information and to register for the “Health Care Provider” CPR Course, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Gary Hirth, Duane and Eileen Franks, Susan Loken, Megan Hamilton, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Dave and Laurie Martin, Neal and Deb Horns, Dorothy Sandry, Patsy Kerndt, Elsa Hager, Charles and Kim Deering, Cyril and Shirley Larkin, Leotia Flage, Duane and Linda Flatland, Eric and Stephanie Palmer, Dave and Sandy Lyons, Gary and Marlene Houg, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Mary Fink, Wendy Bucheit, John and Sheryl Prestemon, John and Laurie Rethwisch, Don and DiAnne Haler, Irene Smith, Carol Jeglum, Dave and Penny Wheeler, Jerry and Mary Seitz, Terry and Diane Oesterle, Oliver Roderick, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Bob and Peggy Woodbeck, Larry and Nancy Straate, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Vic and Jean Stuckman and Family, Carol Krumme, Ron and Therese Snitker, Jim and Barb McCaughey, Shawn and Tina Gallagher, Jeff and Katie Wolloughby, and family and friends of Gary Hirth.

Jill Fleming. RD/LD, Dietitian at Veterans Memorial Hospital, will present a two-part series entitled “The Simple Way to Clean-Up Your Diet” April 16 and 23.  The presentation will be held at 5:30 p.m. both days in the Large Conference Room at the hospital.

The focus of this class is to help attendees lose weight as well as improve energy and health. Objectives include the following:

· Learn how to lose weight without dieting.
· Lower blood sugar readings.
· Improve cholesterol level and lower blood pressure.
· Discover super foods which decrease appetite and make a person feel amazing.
· Learn how to eliminate food addictions permanently.

This class will be held free of charge, but anyone interested is asked to call Veterans Memorial Hospital to pre-register at 563-568-3411.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 13 from 8:30 a.m.-12 Noon. The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls are not the sole babysitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

Topics to be covered include fire and personal safety, accident prevention and emergency actions, nutritious snacks and basic care of children.

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.

Recent studies have estimated that the stress caused just by becoming the caregiver of an adult with a chronic illness or disability will take seven years off of a persons’ life. With more and more Iowans aging, this is a real concern in the local community.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its Euchre Marathon Thursday, April 18 at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with dinner and card playing from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
 

Colorectal cancer can be easily detected, yet it remains the third leading cause of cancer in the United States.  According to the American Cancer Society, one in 24 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. Unfortunately, only about one in three persons in the U.S. gets the recommended screening. If found early, treatment for colorectal cancer is possible. Because of effective screening efforts, there are now more than one million survivors of colorectal cancer in the U.S.

By Angie Mettille, RN
Diabetic Educator
Veterans Memorial Hospital

Living with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes can make you feel like you have more daily tasks than someone who does not have diabetes. Whether it’s checking your blood sugars, monitoring your carbohydrates, exercising, or taking medications and insulin injections, you probably often feel overwhelmed with your day to day routine.

It is normal to get so caught up in a daily routine that you may forget about the less frequent, but just as important, annual or bi-annual exams that can help you attain the high quality of life you are working towards daily. Dilated pupil exams, dental exams, foot exams, immunizations such as the influenza vaccine, and visits with your diabetes healthcare team are all time-worthy appointments to fit into your calendar.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 13 from 8:30 a.m.-12 Noon. The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls are not the sole babysitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

Topics to be covered include fire and personal safety, accident prevention and emergency actions, nutritious snacks and basic care of children.