Health

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 19 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital. 

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or 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.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Eleanor Thorstenson by Ann-Elise and DiAnn Bakkum, Jim and Linda Ryan, JoAnn Peake, Joe Strobel and Patti Wild, Roger and Jeanette Ruegnitz, Steve and Sheryl Evanson, Mike and Teresa Myers, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Carol Krumme, German Farmers Mutual Insurance, Rob and Becky Swella Smedsrud, Dave and Doris Anderson, Jamie and Krystal Cahalan, Richard and Joan Leiran, Rudy and Marian Hesla, Cook Insurance Agency, Stan and Mary Straate, Don and Donelle Sherman, Ben and Padrin Grimstad, Bill and Linda Halvorson, Mike and Sandi Harman, Arlene Martin, Jeremy and Heather Hogan, Phil and Wendy Norton, Darrel and Rosanne Wicks, Marlys Leiran, Russ and Mary Jo Meyer, Nona Hansmeier, Terry and Diane Oesterle, Tharin and Bailey Meyer-Benson, Fred and Amy Knoke, Gordon and Donna Gilbertson, Bob and Joyce Schorg, Brian and Denise Wullner, Jim and Patty Clarke, Carl and Joyce Thornton, Bob and Karen Foss

Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Nursing Council are welcoming Joan C. Becker at a public presentation at the Waukon High School auditorium Friday, April 6. Joan is the author of the book, “Sentenced to Life.” It was Joan’s son, Mark, who was responsible for the tragedy in Parkersburg, when Coach Ed Thomas was shot and killed. Joan’s presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:45 p.m., and is open to the entire community, free of charge.

In her book, “Sentenced to Life,” Joan explains how her personal family experience served as the catalyst for her to become an advocate and public speaker for individuals with mental illness. Her focus is to open the doors and promote change in the mental health system. Joan speaks regularly to colleges, churches, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) groups, high schools, communities and mental health service providers.

By Jill Fleming, MS, RD/LD, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Sure, you have heard that eating a lot of sugar and sweet treats is not good for your health, but does this mean you should stop eating fruit? Fruit contains “fruit sugar” or fructose. The answer is no. Do not be afraid to eat fruit. In fact, I recommend that you eat three (1/2 cup) servings of fruit every day. Here are some of the benefits of eating fruit daily:

“Welcome to Medicare” is a free, two-hour seminar offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors. This program will be held Thursday, March 29 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

“We’re excited to offer this free seminar to the community,” says Russ Hagen, SHIIP volunteer. “Medicare is such an important program and understanding what it offers helps assure that anyone eligible gets the health benefits they deserve.”

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

While closing your eyes for a few minutes during a busy day may seem like a good idea, it’s important to consider the effects that this activity may bring. “The time of day and length of time you nap can provide benefits or create problems,” says Michelle Mertens-Dodgen, nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare in Waukon. “Knowing when to nap and providing yourself with a suitable environment to nap will produce the greatest benefits.”

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 Monday, April 2 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

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.

New blood donors who are not familiar with the blood donation process are encouraged to ask questions before, during and after their blood donation. Below are a few tips for ensuring a successful donation:

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.  The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital. 

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls are not the sole babysitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

Topics to be covered include fire and personal safety, accident prevention and emergency actions, nutritious snacks and basic care of children.

Pre-registration is required by April 3, as seats are limited. Only the first 30 registrants who have paid the registration fee will be accepted for the class.

By Jill Fleming, MS, RD/LD, Veterans Memorial Hospital

There is no one perfect diet that fits everyone. Over the past decade, the diet industry has pushed consumers to choose a diet theory camp. You should be paleo, keto, vegan, raw, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein or whatever diet happens to be trending.

It is hard not to get swept up with the hype of before and after photos or testimonials of those following the latest fad diet. You see their success story and think that if only you could follow the same eating style, you could lose weight or get healthy.  The truth is that some fad diets work for some people, but most do not.

Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Nursing Council are welcoming Joan C. Becker at a public presentation at the Waukon High School auditorium Friday, April 6. Joan is the author of the book, Sentenced to Life. It was Joan’s son, Mark, who was responsible for the tragedy in Parkersburg, when Coach Ed Thomas was shot and killed. Joan’s presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:45 p.m., and is open to the entire community, free of charge.

In her book, Sentenced to Life, Joan explains how her personal family experience served as the catalyst for her to become an advocate and public speaker for individuals with mental illness. Her focus is to open the doors and promote change in our mental health system. Joan speaks regularly to colleges, churches, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) groups, high schools, communities and mental health service providers.