Health

The next Caregiver Support Group meeting will be held Monday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m. in the Meditation Room in the front entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital. When a person is diagnosed with a chronic illness, a lot of focus and attention is put on how to keep that person as independent and as healthy as possible. When a person loses some of their abilities to care for themselves the burden of care is often assumed by the spouse, a child (or children), or sometimes friends and neighbors. While everyone who becomes a caregiver handles the added responsibility with different skill sets, attitudes and understanding levels, there is no question that there is a very real strain associated with care giving.

Recent studies have estimated that the stress caused just by becoming the caregiver of an adult with a chronic illness or disability will take seven years off of a persons’ life. With more and more Iowans aging, this is a concern in the local community.

The local Grief Support Group will not be meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital until after the first of the year, 2020. When the January date is set, notice of the next meeting will be published.

The Grief Support Group is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Watch for the announcement for the date of the next Grief Support Group or call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 with questions.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering the next recertification course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health-related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMS, etc.) Wednesday, December 18, beginning at 5 p.m. This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

All registrants should bring along their own pocket mask, if they have one. Upon successful completion of the class, the participant will receive an electronic card certifying them as a BLS Healthcare Provider for a two-year period.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required for the class to be held. For more information and to register for “Health Care Provider” CPR, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Waukon Clinic - St. John’s Lutheran Church:
Wednesday, December 18: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Contact Clayton County VNA WIC Program at 1-888-836-7867 or 563-880-0941 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
 

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Gary Helgerson by Jim Moritz, in memory of Glenda Kloke by Patsy Kerndt, in memory of Tami Hageman by Fred and Geralyn Smith, in memory of Bud Drew by Don and Mary Jane McGraw, in memory of Erbie Stefens by Patsy Kerndt, in memory of Sally Shelley by George Pickett, in memory of D.J. (David) Morris by Fred and Geralyn Smith, and in memory of Pat Mahoney by Tom and Karen Regan.

In addition, a donation was made to the Foundation in honor of Maury and Kay Mooney’s 60th wedding anniversary by Bud and Marge Strike.

Memorials and donations are greatly appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

by Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Educators

One of the most challenging times to keep blood sugars controlled is over the holiday season. There are countless family get-togethers, endless treats at work, and the weather is less than ideal for many exercise routines.

It seems as though it wouldn’t be a big deal if blood sugar levels go up a little or a few pounds are gained over the holidays. After all, when January arrives, the weight will get back to normal and sugar levels will once again be under better control. Right?!

To an extent, that could be true. If you’re in good overall health, doing well with your diabetes control and still producing reasonable amounts of insulin, a day or two of indulging a bit more than usual in holiday food shouldn’t be a problem.

The 2019 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy was held November 15-18 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion, and was a huge success thanks to all of the overwhelming community involvement.

A record number of auction items were donated to this year’s Fantasy by area businesses and individuals.  The 128 auction items were displayed and auctioned on a silent auction bid to the highest bidder Monday night at 7 p.m.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, December 2 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Here are some interesting blood facts from the Blood Center of Iowa:

Veterans Memorial Hospital began offering Urgent Care Monday, November 18, available seven days a week. Urgent Care is designed for treating injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an emergency department visit.

Urgent Care is now offered every Monday through Friday evening from 5-9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 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 emergency room is the level of care they need.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering the next recertification course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health-related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMS, etc.) Wednesday, December 18, beginning at 5 p.m. This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

All registrants should bring along their own pocket mask, if they have one. Upon successful completion of the class, the participant will receive an electronic card certifying them as a BLS Healthcare Provider for a two-year period.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required for the class to be held. For more information and to register for “Health Care Provider” CPR, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.