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 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.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Wes Goeke by Bob and Marilyn Bulman, Arden Shindoll, Les and Ada Marie Kerndt, Delores Fish and Brad and Erin Berns.

Memorials were also received in memory of Jane Schneider by Randy and Karen Loeb, Beverly Shafer, Mary Ann Hager, Dave and Laurie Martin, Federated Mutual Insurance Co., Mark and Tammy Knudtson, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Patsy Kerndt, Kay Carter, Gayle Larkin and Les and Ada Marie Kerndt.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Lora McCormick Frana by Dave and Sandy Lyons and in memory of Paul Tewes by Alex and Teresa Schaefers, Russ and Mary Jo Meyer, Roger and Denise Uhlenhake and Alan and Ruth Hageman.

Veterans Memorial Hospital has reopened most all outpatient services, including mammography, since the onset of COVID-19.   Routine screening is so important when it comes to mammography and early detection of breast cancer. Mammograms are very important because they look for breast cancer in women who do not have any symptoms and can detect breast cancer long before it can be felt.

Darci Engelhardt of Luana has regular mammograms at Veterans Memorial Hospital to screen for breast cancer. She recently visited the hospital for her annual screen - her first one since the onset of COVID-19.

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.

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 members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital are actively recruiting new and returning members to join them during their annual membership drive.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services. The Auxiliary also holds annual fundraisers, such as the Women’s Health Day Luncheon each fall, the Pillow-Perk in early November, the Masquerade sales and their annual membership drive each July. (Note:  The Women’s Health Day will not be held this year due to COVID-19.) All the money the Auxiliary receives goes back to the hospital for equipment.

The LifeServe Blood Center reported yet another very successful blood drive held in Waukon Thursday, September 3. Each and every blood drive held in Waukon since the start of COVID-19 has successfully recruited many first-time donors who are all encouraged to continue giving blood regularly. The LifeServe Blood Center continues to be amazed with this turnout. A total of 33 units were collected and five new donors joined the donor list.  These 33 units of collected blood will save 99 lives.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Carol Bahr by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Ann Fossum, Darlene and Gordy Kaeser, Jr., and Bob and Karen Fossum. Memorials were also received in memory of both Gary and Carol Bahr by Mary Ann Hager, Jane Dietrich, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Kay Carter, Patsy Kerndt, Maury Mooney, Audrey Angel, Brad and Judy Herman, Linda Thompson, Jan Brandsmeier, Dave and Laurie Martin, Jean Hagen and family and friends of Gary and Carol Bahr.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Pearl Schmitt by Brad and Erin Berns, in memory of Lawrence Larson by Jerry and Linda Siegrist and Joanne Larson and family, and in memory of Mary Bresnahan by Pat Pettingill, Marv and Marge Strike and Frank and Patty Goltz.

A gift was also given in honor of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Nurses by Jerry and Linda Siegrist.

by Jill Fleming, RN/RD,
Dietitian at Veterans Memorial Hospital

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in the fats in your blood. Too much cholesterol can cause a build-up in your blood vessels, causing them to narrow and close. This process increases your risk for heart disease or stroke.

If you’ve been told your cholesterol is too high, it usually means your total cholesterol is greater than 200mg/dl and your LDL (low density lipoprotein) or “bad cholesterol” is higher than the recommended level of 130mg/dl. If you have additional risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you want your LDL cholesterol to be less than 100mg/dl.