Health

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 20 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.
This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Teresa Myers, RN, C.D.E., Diabetes Educator, or Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Keith Fahey by Dan and Traci Byrnes, Dave and Rita Newton, Randy and Lori Hesse, Bob and Marilyn Bulman, Cyril and Shirley Larkin, John and Lorna Kerndt, Bernard Welsh, Jerry and Linda Siegrist and Bob and Kristi Campbell.

Memorials were also received in memory of Kurt Rathbun by Ernie and Donnalee Osland, in memory of Curtis “CD” Kruger by Pat and Kathy McMillan, in memory of Owen Myhle by Jane Dietrich, and in memory of Glen Thorson by Rodney and Evonne Bloxham and Jerry and Linda Siegrist.

Memorials and donations are appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation is a 501C3 organization.  All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.  Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.

Nine out of ten older Americans have high blood pressure. It’s so common, some people think it’s a normal part of aging. The problem - high blood pressure can contribute to conditions like strokes and heart attacks. The solution - simple lifestyle habits that can lower risk and keep blood pressure in check. The result – better energy and wellbeing.

Experts are finding that including more potassium-rich foods in one’s diet (like avocado, spinach, squash, apricots and more) can help lower blood pressure. In fact, combined with using the saltshaker and processed foods less often, potassium may be an overlooked nutrient. Eating more delicious, whole foods containing potassium might help protect against stroke and high blood pressure risks.

Caregivers for an older family member or friend may not consider what they do as caregiving. Those who help with their parents’ household chores and finances, mow their neighbor’s yard or drive an elderly friend to a doctor appointment are among approximately 34.2 million Americans who provide informal care each year. The care these individuals provide allows their friend or loved one to stay independent and in their home for as long as they desire.

Many caregivers are providing care for an older adult while also working and caring for their own families. While caregiving can be rewarding, it can also be stressful. Unfortunately, many caregivers will forego their own needs to care for others.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon generates 255 jobs that add $11,235,854 to the Allamakee and northern Clayton County region’s economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). In addition, Veterans Memorial Hospital employees by themselves spend $2,003,137 on retail sales and contribute $120,189 in state sales tax revenue.

“We take seriously our responsibility of being a part of the local economy,” states Mike Myers, CEO of Veterans Memorial Hospital.  “We know how important we are to the local economy, and we work hard to be sure we remain viable so we can continue to provide quality care close to home.”

Congratulations to the numerous students who completed the recent Veterans Memorial Hospital Babysitting class. The class, which was held Saturday, March 25, consisted of teaching the qualities of being a good babysitter including basic child care, accident prevention and first aid. These new babysitters learned CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the Heimlach Maneuver, to be used in the case of a choking infant or child, and also learned about fire safety thanks to assistance from Troy Gress and the Waukon Fire Department.

By Jill Fleming, Registered Dietician at VMH

We just celebrated National Nutrition Month in March, but here’s another great article I would like to share. If you are looking for another way to use your ripe bananas, instead of just making banana bread again, you are going to love this suggestion. Turn your frozen bananas into ice cream by simply blending them either in a blender or food processor. It is that easy.

If you are following a diabetic, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free or sugar-free style of eating, this healthy treat will fit into all of your nutrition plans. When you freeze a banana until it is solid, then whiz it up in a blender or food processor, it gets creamy and a little gooey, just like custard ice cream.

It’s an easy way to stay cool and use up overripe bananas at the same time. In case you’re new to this delicious treat, here are step-by-step instructions to make Healthy Banana Ice Cream

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, April 20. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner if desired. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if opting to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. The cost is $3 per person with all proceeds going towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their table of four players, however.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Helen Evanson by Dave and Laurie Martin, Steve and Maureen Thode, Orrin and Nan Grangaard, Brian and Denise Wullner, Bob and Joyce Schorg, Mary Ann Hager, Lillian Larson, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson and Pam Herman.

Memorials were also received in memory of Barb Homewood by Patsy Kerndt, Jim and Shirley Winke and Larry and Carolyn Homewood.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Alice Huffman by John and Sheryl Prestemon, Yvonne Brandt, Carol Moe, Mae Jean Bakke, Marian Smedsrud, Lois Evans, Florence Schlake, Scott and Cheryl Livingston and Bob and Kristi Campbell.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program will again be offering another free, educational program on “Diabetes Prevention” at Veterans Memorial Hospital. This event will be held Monday, April 24 in the ICN Conference Room, located on the lower level of  Veterans Memorial Hospital. Teresa Myers, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Angie Mettille, RN will be teaching all those attending how to reduce the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.

Pre-Diabetes is a condition that comes before Type 2 diabetes when the blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but aren’t high enough to be called diabetes. It is a silent disease, meaning someone can have it without even knowing it. Cutting back on calories and fat, being physically active and losing weight can reverse pre-diabetes and therefore delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes.