Health

Wed
13
Sep

Area hospice providers to attend VMH Auxiliary and Elliott Jewelers 18th Annual Women’s Health Day September 26


Women’s Health Day scheduled for September 26 ... The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon are excited to announce they will be hosting the 18th Annual Women’s Health Day wellness event Tuesday, September 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center. The theme for this year’s event, “Embracing Life at All Stages,” will cover all areas of Hospice care, behavioral health care and learning to connect with kindness. Pictured above is a view from last year’s event. All vendors will return to this year’s event, including the three local Hospice providers, plus a new menu of sandwiches, salad bar buffet, dessert and beverage will be served. Everyone purchasing a ticket will be entered into a drawing for a ladies’ 14kt yellow gold diamond and genuine green garnet pendant on an 18” yellow gold rope chain (retail value $1,000) compliments of Elliott Jewelers of Waukon. Tickets are on sale now for the Women’s Health Day Event at Elliott Jewelers and Veterans Memorial Hospital. Submitted photo.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon are excited to announce they will be hosting the 18th Annual Women’s Health Day wellness event Tuesday, September 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center.  All ages are invited to attend any part of this educational event, beginning at 11 a.m. with a wellness fair offering a variety of free health tests and information, and a luncheon and program held from Noon to 1 p.m.  

The theme for this year’s event is “Embracing Life at all Stages.” Featured speakers for the Women’s Health Day program will include Alex Berns, Family Nurse Practitioner at the Waukon Clinic, who will speak on his experience as a Hospice Care Nurse. His presentation, entitled “Clearing the Air About Hospice Care,” will help explain how Hospice Care works, how to qualify and the different levels of Hospice care available.

Wed
13
Sep

September is National Cholesterol Education Month; Have you had your cholesterol checked lately?

Brandy Strub, RD/LD, Dietitian ...
Brandy Strub, RD/LD, Dietitian ...

by Brandy Strub, RD/LD, Dietitian, Veterans Memorial Hospital

September is National Cholesterol Education Month. Per the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is recommended that cholesterol be checked for kids once between ages 9-11 and again between ages 17-21. Children with obesity or diabetes may need to be screened more often.

For healthy adults, it is recommended that they be checked every 4-6 years. Those with heart disease, diabetes, or a family history of high cholesterol should be checked more frequently.  

Risk factors for high cholesterol include: family history, diet high in saturated and trans fats, low physical activity, smoking, age, sex, type II diabetes, and obesity.

Wed
13
Sep

Allamakee Public Health recommends vaccines to optimize health as people age


Stay up to date on key vaccines ... September is Healthy Aging Month. Allamakee Public Health (aka Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services are reminding Iowans to make sure they are up to date on key vaccines to allow for healthy aging. Submitted photo.

September is National Healthy Aging Month

By 2025, over 25 percent of Iowa’s population is expected to be 60 years of age or older according to the Iowa Department on Aging¹. The health and wellbeing of older adults is a priority in the state. September is National Healthy Aging Month and Allamakee Public Health (aka Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services are reminding Iowans to make sure they are up to date on key vaccines.

“As people grow older, they may be more susceptible to infectious diseases. Vaccination plays a vital role in preventing illnesses and protecting older adults from potentially severe complications,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney RN. “Staying up to date on immunizations is one of the easiest, safest ways to protect yourself.”

Wed
13
Sep

September is National Suicide Prevention Month; What to say and not say


Suicide and crisis services available locally ... September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Help is available locally for those suffering from a mental health issue. This year, the 988 Crisis Lifeline shares the message that everyone can help prevent suicide and encourages everyone to ‘Be The 1 To’….. Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Stay Connected, Follow Up and Learn More. Tara Fink, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinics is available to see patients at both the Veterans Memorial Hospital Postville and Waukon clinics. Read the accompanying article to learn more about what to say and not to say to anyone who may be contemplating suicide. Submitted graphic.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  Dialing 988 will reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone contemplating suicide.  This year, the 988 Crisis Lifeline shares the message that everyone can help prevent suicide and encourages everyone to ‘Be The 1 To’….. Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Stay Connected, Follow Up and Learn More.

Wed
13
Sep

Diabetes Support Group to meet at VMH September 21

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, September 21 at 10 a.m.   The meeting will be held at VMH in the Large Conference Room, located 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 at 563-568-3411.

Wed
06
Sep

Annual Women’s Health Day scheduled for September 26


Women’s Health Day September 26 ... The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon are excited to announce they will soon be hosting the 18th Annual Women’s Health Day wellness event, serving a full salad buffet, sandwiches, beverage and dessert. The event will be held Tuesday, September 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center. This year, everyone purchasing a ticket will be entered into a drawing for a Ladies’ 14kt yellow gold diamond and genuine green garnet pendant on 18” yellow gold rope chain (retail value $1,000) compliments of Elliott Jewelers of Waukon. In addition, many more door prizes will be given away at the event. Tickets will go on sale September 11 at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Elliott Jewelers in Waukon. Submitted photo.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon are excited to announce they will soon be hosting their 18th Women’s Health Day wellness event Tuesday, September 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center. All ages are invited to attend any part of this educational event, beginning at 11 a.m. with a wellness fair offering a variety of free health tests and information, and a luncheon and program held from Noon to 1 p.m. This year the menu will consist of a full salad buffet, sandwiches, beverages and dessert.

Wed
06
Sep

VMH Laboratory offers “Be The Match” sampling every day

All summer long, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon has been offering “Be the Match” stem cell sampling at all area special events. Now the hospital Laboratory will be offering that same service every day, Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone ages 18-40 who wishes to participate and possibly save a life.

“Be the Match” connects patients with life-threatening blood cancers and diseases like sickle cell with a matching donor for blood stem cell transplants. The campaign provide patients and their families with one-on-one support, education and guidance through the transplant process, which improves patient outcomes. This is the same program that Robin Roberts from Good Morning America endorses following her own bone marrow transplant match 10 years ago. Many patients and their families are counting on drives like this to find their match.

Wed
06
Sep

Health Unit Coordinator Week recently observed at VMH ...

Health Unit Coordinator Week was recently celebrated August 23-29 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon and at health care facilities across the country. The role of the Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) is vital to the operations of the patient floor in any health care facility. Veterans Memorial Hospital has three full-time health unit coordinators who help maintain the flow of patient care, providing support and communication to all staff and families on the patient floor. Pictured at right at the Emergency Room (ER) station are two of those three coordinators, including, left to right, Erin Troendle and Celeste Marting, whose last name was incorrectly submitted in information printed in last week’s edition of The Standard. Submitted photo.
 

Wed
06
Sep

September is Sepsis Awareness Month: Be sure to seek medical help immediately if sepsis symptoms occur

In honor of Sepsis Awareness Month, the Sepsis Alliance is encouraging everyone to learn the signs of sepsis. Statistics show that 1.7 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with sepsis each year with 350,000 of those passing away. In the United States, sepsis takes a life every two minutes. As many as 80 percent of sepsis deaths could be prevented with early detection and treatment.

Sepsis happens when the body’s immune system has an extreme response to an infection. The body’s reaction causes damage to its own tissues and organs.  Anyone can develop sepsis, but the following  are at higher risk for sepsis:

• Adults 65 or older
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease
• People with recent severe illness or hospitalization, including those with severe COVID-19
• People who survived sepsis
• Children younger than one.

Wed
06
Sep

Diabetes Support Group to meet at VMH September 21

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, September 21 at 10 a.m.   The meeting will be held at VMH in the Large Conference Room, located 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 at 563-568-3411.

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