Health

A typical holiday meal can pack a whopping number of calories, many from fat, causing the average American to gain weight between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. But by making simple changes, holiday meals can be made healthier.
“Most holiday meals are not bad for you if they are prepared properly,” says Benjamin Nesseim, family physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waukon. “The trouble arises when fat and sugar are added.”
For example, including large amounts of sugar, butter and cream in recipes negates many of the benefits of healthy foods like squash, potatoes, and meat. It also makes it more difficult to enjoy these foods’ natural flavors.
 Dr. Nesseim recommends the following tips for healthy holiday eating:

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s 2015 Christmas Fantasy will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 13-16 at the Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be “Ring In the Holidays.”  In addition to the nearly 70 decorated Christmas trees on display, this years’ event will again offer many, shopping opportunities.
Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event, and the moon luncheons.  

October is National Physical Therapy Month. The Rehabilitation staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital works with people of all ages, helping them to reduce pain and regain strength, independence and health. The Healthy Lifestyles Rehabilitation Center at Veterans Memorial Hospital is fully equipped for all rehabilitation patients with 17 weight machine stations, tread mills, exercise bikes, NuStep and elliptical machines. The five private treatment rooms allow one-on-one evaluation and treatment with the therapists.

Reservations are being taken now for the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s 24th Annual Christmas Fantasy to be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 13, 14, 15 and 16 at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion. The theme will be “Ring In the Holidays.”
Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday and Monday Noon luncheons and the Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event. The luncheons are sponsored by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association, and will be held  Saturday, November 14 at 12 noon, and again Monday, November 16 at 12 noon.  A full meal will be served plus entertainment will be provided at both events. All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays. Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-6262.

It can cost you money not to review your Medicare Part D coverage. In one hour, a SHIIP counselor can complete a review, let you know if you can save money and make sure you have access to the drugs you need in 2016.  SHIIP counselors in Iowa have been saving people money for 25 years. In fact, last year they helped Iowans on Medicare save close to $15 million on Part D drug costs.
Every year Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans announce their changes for the next year and Iowans on Medicare can decide if they want to change plans from October 15 to December 7. Kris Gross from the state of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), said, “We’re asking everyone to remind family, friends and neighbors about these important dates. We don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to make their choice of plans for 2016.”  Plans can change their coverage and costs from year to year, so comparing plans during the open enrollment is critical.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care will be offering flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during regular immunization clinics.  The next flu shot clinics will be held on Wednesday, October 21 from 1 to 6 p.m. and again Wednesday, October 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.  
Immunization clinics are held from 1 to 6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month and from 1 to 4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots will be offered as well.
The cost for a flu shot is $25. Medicare does cover the costs. Billing for Medicare will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number with them.  Pneumonia shots are also available for $75 and Tdap shots for $48.
 

October is the month to start your Medicare Part D check-up for 2016. Watch your mailbox for news about Medicare drug plans and changes coming next year.  Look for:
• 2016 Medicare & You Handbook - this booklet includes a list of drug plans, premiums and basic plan information for next year.
• Annual Notice of Change - if you’re in a Medicare drug plan now your plan will send you a notice outlining changes for 2016 including premium, benefits and formulary (drug list) changes.  If you get your drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan watch for that plan’s notice of changes for 2016.
• Creditable Coverage Notice from Employer Plan - if you have drug coverage from your employer/retiree plan you must receive a notice by October 15 telling you if their coverage for 2016 is as good as Medicare’s. Keep this notice with your important papers.

from the American Institute of Cancer Research and
Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
Early detection can prove to be lifesaving when it comes to detecting and fighting breast cancer. There are four important ways to play a crucial part in finding breast cancer early on, which could significantly increase one’s chances of recovery should one be diagnosed with the disease.
1. Perform a monthly breast self-exam (BSE.) Because 65 to 70 percent of all breast cancers are found by women themselves, there’s no substitute for doing a BSE. Examine the breasts the week following a menstrual period for anyone age 20 and over. For women who are no longer menstruating, they should perform a BSE the first day of every month.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s state-certified, digital mammography machine was the first in the area when it was installed in 2009. This system allows the hospital to offer the latest, state-of-the-art technology to everyone needing a mammogram.  The advantages of digital mammography include the following:
• Digital mammography produces images that appear on the technologist’s monitor in a matter of seconds with no waiting for film to develop.
• With digital mammography, the radiologist reviews electronic images of the breast using special high-resolution monitors and can manipulate the images for more clarity to detect signs of cancer even earlier.
• Digital mammography images can be easily stored in the computer for comparison with your next mammogram, and if needed, easily transmitted to another medical facility without any loss of information, eliminating the dependence on only one set of original x-ray films.

by Jeff Mitchell, PM
Paramedic/EMS Supervisor at Veterans Memorial Hospital

At Veterans Memorial Hospital we are prepared for any type of trauma that may walk or be brought into our Emergency Department. Whether it is small or large, minor or severe, there are always highly trained personnel ready to provide treatment and stabilization to that person or persons requiring help.