Health

According to the Healthiest State Initiative, there are steps that can be taken to help a friend or family member through a mental health crisis. A mental health crisis could look like suicidal thoughts and behaviors, self-injury, a panic attack, a reaction to a traumatic event or disruptive/aggressive behavior.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) “Family Wellness Fair” welcomed a crowd of over 200 visitors this year during its Hospital Week celebration.  Visitors toured the VMH Medical Clinic, Veterans Memorial Hospital and Gundersen Clinic along their route to the over 40 booths and educational displays, demonstrations, activities, and give-aways provided by the numerous agencies who service Allamakee and northern Clayton counties.

May is Older Americans Month. Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care-Allamakee Public Health has a mission of aiding older Americans to remain in their homes, living independently for as long as possible. Sometimes the role of home caregivers is long-term, other times just for a short, transitional period of time.

Registered nurses and trained home care aides travel Allamakee County and the surrounding area offering nursing care and in-home assistance to people of all ages. They offer a variety of services including nursing visits, medication set-up and administration, dressing cares, IVs, catheter and colostomy cares, oversee rehabilitation in-home programs, and all personal cares. RN staff is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, June 2, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon.  Blood drives are held the first Monday of each month in Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) with its blood and blood products.

Blood centers across the United States see a decrease in blood donations during the busy summer months.  During the summer, people become more active, have busier schedules, spend more time outdoors and take vacations. While donations decline, hospitals see an increase in the need for blood. More driving can mean more automobile accidents. A person who has suffered severe injuries from an automobile accident can need up to 50 units of blood.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be hosting the Safety Day Camp for children ages 6 to 14 Wednesday, June 4, at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. The camp is open to all children in the area. It is a true safety camp that instructs on many areas of safety that address every child’s life.

During the camp, children participate in interactive activities that reinforce the importance of taking responsibility for their own safety, respecting parents’ safety rules and sharing safety tips with their family and friends. Hands-on demonstrations teach lifesaving first aid techniques and reveal the hidden hazards of children’s surroundings. Camp demonstrations also focus on farm hazards associated with various safety topics.

by Steven Mazzafield, Speech-Language Pathologist at Veterans Memorial Hospital

During National Stroke Awareness Month, I want to shine a spotlight on the importance of awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation for stroke survivors. Among the many healthcare professionals dedicated to supporting recovery, speech therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals regain their communication and swallowing abilities after a stroke.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to brain damage. Depending on the area affected, survivors may experience speech, language, or swallowing difficulties - collectively known as dysarthria, aphasia, and dysphagia.

These challenges can significantly impact a person’s ability to express themselves, understand others, and enjoy meals safely. Such impairments can also affect emotional well-being, social participation, and overall quality of life.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Annual Three-Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament is set this year for Monday, June 16 at the Waukon Golf and Country Club.

Teams of three will begin the day with a shot gun start at 9:30 a.m. and play 18 holes of golf. Breakfast rolls, lunch, dinner and prizes for everyone will all be provided for a $75 donation.

All those interested in joining the event are asked to pre-register their team by calling the Waukon Golf and Country Club at 563-568-9939. For more information about the golf tournament, call Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) at 563-568-3411.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, May 15, 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 month’s topic will be severe weather awareness and how to be prepared for that. Corey Snitker, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator, will be sharing information about how to stay safe during natural disasters and will also focus on how this relates to diabetes.

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, Diabetes Educator, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

This Friday night, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for the third year in a row with another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year they will be joined by The JayR Brink Bank as part of the musical line-up, all taking place this Friday evening May 9, from 6-11 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon.

The first set of BBF members will take the stage to begin the night, offering a variety of older country music, with a second set of BBF members performing a variety of hits from the 1950s through the 1990s.  The JayR Brink Band will be finishing out the night with its well-known variety of music covering a mix of country, folk and oldies with a folky, alternative country style.

The annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 14 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon. Health and wellness testing, exhibits, activities and refreshments will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. All visitors are again welcome to enter the wellness fair through the Veterans Memorial Hospital main entrance, the hospital clinic entrance or the Gundersen Emplify Clinic entrance, allowing for more accessible parking options.