Health

The COVID vaccine is now being offered in conjunction with flu shots at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine, and they will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, flu vaccines are proven to help prevent millions of illnesses and have been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor by 40-60%. COVID-19 vaccines help protect by creating an antibody response without having to experience potentially severe illness or post-COVID conditions.  Although it is still possible to get sick after being vaccinated, flu and COVID immunizations are proven to help prevent severe illness, which can be lifesaving.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Christmas Fantasy returns this year in its entirety. Reservations are being taken now for the Foundation’s 32nd annual Christmas Fantasy which will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 10, 11, 12, and 13, at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The theme is “Wishing You a Merry Grinchmas!”

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 11, at Noon, and again Monday, November 13 at 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.

The Rehabilitation staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) works with people of all ages, helping them to reduce pain and regain strength, independence and health. The Healthy Lifestyles Rehabilitation Center at VMH is fully equipped for all rehabilitation patients with 17 weight machine stations, tread mills, exercise bikes, NuStep and eliptical machines. The six treatment rooms allow one-on-one evaluation and treatment with the therapist.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) administration staff is currently visiting each Allamakee County community to offer a public forum to update the communities about the hospital’s progress and offer a chance for public input.  

Last fall, residents of Allamakee County overwhelmingly voted to convert the hospital to a county facility.  As the hospital was preparing for that county-wide vote, similar public forums were held. At those meetings, it was stated the hospital would do this every year in an effort to offer personal contact with the communities and an opportunity for feedback.

Michael Coyle, VMH CEO will be leading these discussions and states, “I’m excited to be back out in the area communities of Allamakee County to talk about VMH, our current services, and new services that will help our patients and their families stay close to home for their healthcare needs.”

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Speech-Language Pathologist Steven Mazzafield offers a Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke.

Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  The next Stroke Support Group meeting will be held Thursday, November 2, at 2 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.

The Stroke Support Group provides opportunities to share tips, tricks, or trials among participants, offer support for caregivers, and provide an opportunity for socialization.

While strokes can happen at any age, risk of stroke is greatest as we get older with the majority of strokes occurring after the age of 70. Risk factors for stroke include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Tuesday, November 7, at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief. Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This grief support usually meets the second Tuesday of each month at VMH in Waukon, except when they meet this first Tuesday of November.

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 Thursday, November 2, from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

The Waukon Blood drives have been very successful the last couple of years with new first-time donors each time.

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.

You have until December 7, 2023 to enroll in or change Medicare drug plans for 2024. Don’t wait until the last minute. Remember, if you’re on Medicare and don’t have drug coverage, or the coverage you have is not as good as Medicare’s, you will face a penalty for each month you delay enrolling.  

If you have questions about Medicare drug coverage call your local SHIIP counselor at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. SHIIP volunteers are available to meet individually with anyone in the community who wishes to compare the Medicare Part D plans available for 2024.

Appointments are required. Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule your appointment. You will need to bring your Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of your medications from your pharmacy.  SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa.

Ness Pumping and Porta Potty Rentals will host its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Saturday, October 21 in the Waukon City Park to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and detection.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and go until Noon.  Participants may come and go as they please that morning and can choose to walk with friends, family or on their own. Walk-in participants are welcome.

Breast Cancer survivors will be asked to sign a pink porta potty sporting the breast cancer ribbon. Event sweatshirts will be available for sale and light refreshments will also be offered for a free-will donation.

Family members of Becky Drees, on behalf of the Becky Drees Memorial Foundation, recently donated ‘Tummy Time Mirrors’ to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinics in Postville and Waukon. These mirrors are designed for babies to lay on their tummies and hold their heads up to look at themselves in the mirror, which in turn encourages gross motor (large muscle) development. Tummy time like this has proven to provide for better strength and coordination of the baby’s hands, arms and shoulders for playing with toys, and it also gives a visual stimulation for the babies.