Health

by Tami Gebel, OTR/L
 
Humans are amazing creatures! We can walk, talk and carry items (like our cell phones) in our hands, all at the same time. Some of us may have an easier time completing these simple tasks compared to other people. However, what do we do if two or three of these tasks become difficult following an injury or illness?

Here at Veterans Memorial Hospital, the rehabilitation department treats people who have been diagnosed with strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, congestive heart failure, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and injury to joints following a fall. People may seek therapy following surgery, such as a joint replacement surgery, or fractured wrist and hip.

As April, Public Heath Month, comes to a close, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health announces the release of a 50-page resource directory for all services in Allamakee County. The guide is available on the Veterans Memorial Hospital website, under the  www.veteransmemorialhospital.com/service/community-and-home-care/ link, and also on the Allamakee County Economic Development website.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) was made aware last week of callers posing as insurance companies, requesting copies of health insurance numbers. Veterans Memorial Hospital warns the public to never share any insurance or personal information over the phone, unless you are certain who you are speaking with. Random calls requesting information are most likely a scam.     

If you think you may have been targeted by a scam, be sure to call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or the Heath Insurance Marketplace at 800-318-2596.  Also be sure to monitor your health insurance statements, watching items or services charged that were never received. Also watch to be sure items were only billed once. Feel free to call your insurance agent or agency directly, and whenever you are targeted by a caller, always just hang-up.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Speech-Language Pathologist Steven Mazzafield offers a Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke.

Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The next Stroke Support Group meeting will be held Thursday, May 2, at 2 p.m.

The Stroke Support Group provides opportunities to share tips, tricks, or trials among participants, offer support for caregivers, and provide an opportunity for socialization.

While strokes can happen at any age, risk of stroke is greatest as people get older with the majority of strokes occurring after the age of 70. Risk factors for stroke include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Tuesday, May 14, at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

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 group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The complex role of the Health Information Management Department is one completed efficiently and effectively behind the scenes of every healthcare organization.

At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), there are five certified professionals who each handle a large piece of the health record.  Some of these pieces include obtaining pre-authorization from insurance companies prior to a procedure, credentialing each and every medical provider, transcribing provider notes and very specifically coding each and every care given and supply used for each patient in each department of the hospital and clinics.

The Health Information Management Department maintains medical records for each patient and coordinates the release of information. They follow strict patient confidentiality guidelines for proper release.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital’s “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 8, from 3:30-6 p.m. Free health testing, exhibits and interactive activities will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages.

New this year, all those attending are welcome to enter the fair through either the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Medical Clinic or the Gundersen Medical Clinic, or the main entrance to the hospital. Parking will be readily available at any of those entrances allowing for greater accessibility to the fair this year.

The route will again proceed through the various booths and displays throughout the hospital, the VMH Clinic and the Gundersen Clinic, then exiting through the same exit as they entered where door prizes will be available. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event.

April is Foot Health Month. The feet are a part of the body that is often ignored, but are truly one of the most important parts, supporting the rest of the body in most every move it makes. Podiatrists are medical professionals who specialize in foot and ankle care.  A podiatrist diagnoses and treats health issues concerning not only the feet, but the ankle as well.

Podiatrist Dr. Kristina Thompson of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) is available every Monday and Wednesday in Waukon consulting and treating patients, and even providing minor surgical procedures.

by Angie Mettille RN, Certified Diabetes Educator

April is Defeat Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a disease full of challenges. Every day presents decisions that need to be made and sometimes problems that need to be solved. What should I eat for breakfast? How many carbohydrates are in that bowl of soup? How will that banana affect my blood sugar? Did I take my insulin this morning?  My blood sugar is higher than normal, what do I do? I’m worried about my risk of heart disease and stroke because my A1c has been higher than my doctor likes, how can I decrease my chance of complications? How am I going to pay for my insulin this month?

A diabetes educator can help you defeat diabetes by developing a plan to stay healthy and give you the tools you need to navigate the various curveballs that diabetes can throw at you.

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.   This year will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Toe Tappers as part of the musical line-up, all held Friday evening, May 10, from 6-11 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion.

BBF will again remember their late guitarist Pat Dougherty, the only deceased member of four local bands which included Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River.  Pat was a key member of these bands with both his guitar and vocals. Event organizers will again have Pat’s guitar on display this year at the event, as well as memorabilia provided by the Dougherty family.   Attendees can look for the display adjacent to the main stage in the Pavilion that evening while also visiting with members of Pat’s family.