Health

“Welcome to Medicare” is a free, two-hour seminar offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors. This program will be held Thursday, March 29 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

“We’re excited to offer this free seminar to the community,” says Russ Hagen, SHIIP volunteer. “Medicare is such an important program and understanding what it offers helps assure that anyone eligible gets the health benefits they deserve.”

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

While closing your eyes for a few minutes during a busy day may seem like a good idea, it’s important to consider the effects that this activity may bring. “The time of day and length of time you nap can provide benefits or create problems,” says Michelle Mertens-Dodgen, nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare in Waukon. “Knowing when to nap and providing yourself with a suitable environment to nap will produce the greatest benefits.”

You can make a difference by making a life-saving blood donation at the next Waukon Community Blood Drive. The next blood drive will take place Monday, April 2 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

Donating blood is safe, simple and it saves lives.  Blood donors have a unique opportunity to contribute to their community by making a life-saving blood donation.  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.

New blood donors who are not familiar with the blood donation process are encouraged to ask questions before, during and after their blood donation. Below are a few tips for ensuring a successful donation:

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.  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.

Pre-registration is required by April 3, as seats are limited. Only the first 30 registrants who have paid the registration fee will be accepted for the class.

By Jill Fleming, MS, RD/LD, Veterans Memorial Hospital

There is no one perfect diet that fits everyone. Over the past decade, the diet industry has pushed consumers to choose a diet theory camp. You should be paleo, keto, vegan, raw, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein or whatever diet happens to be trending.

It is hard not to get swept up with the hype of before and after photos or testimonials of those following the latest fad diet. You see their success story and think that if only you could follow the same eating style, you could lose weight or get healthy.  The truth is that some fad diets work for some people, but most do not.

Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Nursing Council are welcoming Joan C. Becker at a public presentation at the Waukon High School auditorium Friday, April 6. Joan is the author of the book, Sentenced to Life. It was Joan’s son, Mark, who was responsible for the tragedy in Parkersburg, when Coach Ed Thomas was shot and killed. Joan’s presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:45 p.m., and is open to the entire community, free of charge.

In her book, Sentenced to Life, Joan explains how her personal family experience served as the catalyst for her to become an advocate and public speaker for individuals with mental illness. Her focus is to open the doors and promote change in our mental health system. Joan speaks regularly to colleges, churches, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) groups, high schools, communities and mental health service providers.

Ask most people and they’ll tell you they hate the idea of having a colonoscopy. Whether they are worried about the discomfort, embarrassment or fear of what might be found, no one looks forward to the procedure.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States behind lung cancer. Fortunately, it is one of the most preventable and curable cancers.

“A colonoscopy is an exam that could save your life,” explains Phillip Yee, MD, Gundersen Health System general surgeon in Decorah and Waukon. “It offers the best opportunity for doctors to detect colon cancer or polyps, which are precancerous growths, at an early, more treatable stage.”

During a colonoscopy a lighted scope is used to inspect the entire colon for abnormal growths. If anything suspicious is found during the procedure, it can remove it or a tissue sample can be taken. According to Dr. Yee, people with the greatest risk of developing colon cancer include those:

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.  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 baby-sitters 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.

“Welcome to Medicare” is a free, two-hour seminar offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors. This program will be held Thursday, March 29 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

“We’re excited to offer this free seminar to the community,” says Russ Hagen, SHIIP volunteer. “Medicare is such an important program and understanding what it offers helps assure that anyone eligible gets the health benefits they deserve.”

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will begin the next Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, April 9, and will continue the class 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.

These Prepared Childbirth Education classes are free to any expectant parents delivering at Veterans Memorial Hospital. These classes will be offered every three months at Veterans Memorial Hospital.