Health

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is offering a free, seven-week virtual education series to kick-off the new year. The programs are available to help families facing Alzheimer’s or dementia understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead. The topics covered will range from the warning signs to behavior changes to expect, to financial and legal considerations and planning, to advances in Alzheimer’s research.

The series will begin Wednesday, January 18 at 12 p.m. via Zoom and continue each Wednesday through March 1.

Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line, which can be reached at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call a resource phone line 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-383-2988. Whether chatting or calling, a trained Advocate will respond 24 hours a day.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Schroedel by the Allamakee Community Players, Lori Bahr Stevenson, Bill and Sue Blagsvedt, Randy and Julie Bloxham, Jon and Cathy Buhl, Lenny and Kelly Bulman, Carl and Betty Christianson, Earl and Bev Haas, Russ and Barb Hagen, Mary Ann Hager, Dale Hart, Betty Howard, Michele and Cory Huinker, Jens and Jane Kallevang, Mary and Tim Kelly, John and Lorna Kerndt, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Ron and Sue Kiesau, Dale Kurth, Susan Larkin, Marilyn Larson, Nancy Leiran, Mary Kay Martin, Mr. and Mrs. David Monserud, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Mueller, Pat Pettingill, George Pickett, Sharon Pratt, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Gary Rumph, Dr. Dave and Joan Schwartz, Erick Sorum and LaVonne Martie, Coreen Troendle, Erin Troendle, George and Susan Troendle, John Troendle, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Arlen and Karlene Wonderlich, Kate Wooden and Rose Zoll.

Self-care through managing stress is often a common New Year’s resolution. Stress relief is one of the first of many benefits associated with massage. Stress is a part of everyday living, but when stress levels become constant, it becomes distress. Distress can cause symptoms such as headaches, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, problems sleeping, anxiety, and muscle tension.

The benefits of massage therapy include decreasing anxiety, enhancing sleep, increasing energy, improving circulation, improving concentration and reducing fatigue, among others. When getting a massage the heart rate tends to lower, blood pressure can go down, muscles relax, and the level of endorphins (the body’s feel-good chemicals) increases.

Serotonin and dopamine are also released, which results in a feeling of calm, making acute and short-term stress periods easier to overcome.

Urgent Care has returned with availability each weekend at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH). Urgent Care services are again available every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Patients may enter through the main entrance of the hospital and ask for Urgent Care.

Urgent Care is designed for treating injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an emergency department visit. A registered nurse will assess each patient and decide if Urgent Care or the Emergency Room (ER) is the level of care they need.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, January 19 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room 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 in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
 

Vaccination now can still provide protection for the remainder of the flu season, which can last as late as May. Flu Shots are still available at the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Public Health Office. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine, and will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

Flu shots are available with an appointment each Wednesday afternoon during the weekly immunization clinic in the Community and Home Care Department located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) has announced Urgent Care clinics will be returning during weekends, beginning Saturday, January 7. Urgent Care will be offered from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

Urgent Care is designed for treating injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an emergency department visit. Patients may enter through the main entrance of the hospital and ask for Urgent Care. A registered nurse will assess each patient and decide if Urgent Care or ER is the level of care needed.

Vaccination now can still provide protection for the remainder of the flu season, which can last as late as May. Flu Shots are still available at the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Public Health Office. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine and will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

Flu shots are available with an appointment each Wednesday afternoon during the weekly immunization clinic in the Community and Home Care Department located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon. Appointments can be made by calling them at 563-568-5660.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Marian Smedsrud by Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Kay Carter, Carl and Betty Christianson, Don and DiAnne Haler, JoAnn Peake, Danny and Sue Schlitter and Pat Pettingill; in memory of Donald McCormick by Mary Ann Hager, Ron and Nancy Adam, and Dan and Traci Byrnes; in memory of Betty Hahn by Dr. David and Suzanne Hahn; in memory of Helen Knuppe by Chuck and Lois Votsmier and Betty Troendle and in memory of Karen Bresnahan by Marilyn Anderson and Grau Funeral Home.