Health

This is Clean Hands Week. Washing hands and washing them well is a great way to help stop the spread of disease, especially the flu this coming winter. It is recommended that good hand washing, along with eating a well-balanced diet and getting enough rest, will help stop the spread of the flu.

The following facts from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) will help explain the benefits and the best way of washing hands.
• Use soap and warm or hot running water.
• Take at least 15 to 20 seconds to do the washing.
• Wash all surfaces using a vigorous rubbing (friction) including: wrists, palms, back of hands, between fingers and as much as possible under the fingernails.
• Rinse under running water.
• Away from home, dry using disposable paper towels or hot air blower, if possible.
• At home, provide a separate towel for each member of the household, and wash towels regularly in hot water and detergent.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, September 21 at 10 a.m.   The meeting will be held at VMH in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

Amy Robinson, Director of Rehabilitation at Veterans Memorial Hospital, will be there to discuss ‘how to stay active during the winter months.’

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or who has a friend or loved one with diabetes.  For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon are excited to announce they will be hosting the 18th Annual Women’s Health Day wellness event Tuesday, September 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center.  All ages are invited to attend any part of this educational event, beginning at 11 a.m. with a wellness fair offering a variety of free health tests and information, and a luncheon and program held from Noon to 1 p.m.  

The theme for this year’s event is “Embracing Life at all Stages.” Featured speakers for the Women’s Health Day program will include Alex Berns, Family Nurse Practitioner at the Waukon Clinic, who will speak on his experience as a Hospice Care Nurse. His presentation, entitled “Clearing the Air About Hospice Care,” will help explain how Hospice Care works, how to qualify and the different levels of Hospice care available.

by Brandy Strub, RD/LD, Dietitian, Veterans Memorial Hospital

September is National Cholesterol Education Month. Per the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is recommended that cholesterol be checked for kids once between ages 9-11 and again between ages 17-21. Children with obesity or diabetes may need to be screened more often.

For healthy adults, it is recommended that they be checked every 4-6 years. Those with heart disease, diabetes, or a family history of high cholesterol should be checked more frequently.  

Risk factors for high cholesterol include: family history, diet high in saturated and trans fats, low physical activity, smoking, age, sex, type II diabetes, and obesity.

September is National Healthy Aging Month

By 2025, over 25 percent of Iowa’s population is expected to be 60 years of age or older according to the Iowa Department on Aging¹. The health and wellbeing of older adults is a priority in the state. September is National Healthy Aging Month and Allamakee Public Health (aka Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services are reminding Iowans to make sure they are up to date on key vaccines.

“As people grow older, they may be more susceptible to infectious diseases. Vaccination plays a vital role in preventing illnesses and protecting older adults from potentially severe complications,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney RN. “Staying up to date on immunizations is one of the easiest, safest ways to protect yourself.”

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  Dialing 988 will reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone contemplating suicide.  This year, the 988 Crisis Lifeline shares the message that everyone can help prevent suicide and encourages everyone to ‘Be The 1 To’….. Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Stay Connected, Follow Up and Learn More.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, September 21 at 10 a.m.   The meeting will be held at VMH in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or who has a friend or loved one with diabetes.  For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon are excited to announce they will soon be hosting their 18th Women’s Health Day wellness event Tuesday, September 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center. All ages are invited to attend any part of this educational event, beginning at 11 a.m. with a wellness fair offering a variety of free health tests and information, and a luncheon and program held from Noon to 1 p.m. This year the menu will consist of a full salad buffet, sandwiches, beverages and dessert.

All summer long, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon has been offering “Be the Match” stem cell sampling at all area special events. Now the hospital Laboratory will be offering that same service every day, Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone ages 18-40 who wishes to participate and possibly save a life.

“Be the Match” connects patients with life-threatening blood cancers and diseases like sickle cell with a matching donor for blood stem cell transplants. The campaign provide patients and their families with one-on-one support, education and guidance through the transplant process, which improves patient outcomes. This is the same program that Robin Roberts from Good Morning America endorses following her own bone marrow transplant match 10 years ago. Many patients and their families are counting on drives like this to find their match.

Health Unit Coordinator Week was recently celebrated August 23-29 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon and at health care facilities across the country. The role of the Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) is vital to the operations of the patient floor in any health care facility. Veterans Memorial Hospital has three full-time health unit coordinators who help maintain the flow of patient care, providing support and communication to all staff and families on the patient floor. Pictured at right at the Emergency Room (ER) station are two of those three coordinators, including, left to right, Erin Troendle and Celeste Marting, whose last name was incorrectly submitted in information printed in last week’s edition of The Standard. Submitted photo.