Health

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention classes starting in April. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise program that promotes strength, flexibility and balance. This is a low-impact, relaxing form of exercise that is ideal for older individuals. Tai Chi focuses on the mental and spiritual aspects of Chinese martial arts integrated into movement. Individuals will learn warm-up, cool down and 12 introductory forms. Modifications can be made for those who need to remain seated for all or most of the class.

Veterans Memorial Hospital began nuclear cardiac stress testing within its Cardiac Rehab unit in 2008. The convenience of having these nuclear tests offered on a local level has been well received by many in the community since it began.

Nuclear Cardiac Stress Testing offers two different methods, both highly effective in detecting heart disease. These two new forms of nuclear stress testing are called the Exercise Nuclear Stress Test and Lexiscan Nuclear Imaging. Both methods can increase the likelihood of finding heart disease by 20% when compared to traditional treadmill stress tests.

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 baby-sitters 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.

People 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, March 1 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 be offering a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMTs, etc.) Monday, March 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

The cost of the class, for certification or recertification, is the same, and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask. The card received with the course does certify attendants in CPR for two years.

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

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Tuesday, March 13 at 5 p.m. in the Education Conference Room.

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 group now meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Shirleen “Sam” Rosendahl by Pat Pettingill and Dave and Laurie Martin, in memory of Francis Bollman by Jim and Jill Kiesau, in memory of Mary Blake by Chuck and Lois Votsmier and in memory of Pat Sandry by Jane Dietrich, Nyles and Ruby Herman, Gayle Larkin, Dave and Rita Newton, Chuck and Lois Votsmier and Brad and Erin Berns.

Memorials were also received in memory of Calvin Shindoll by the Calvin Shindoll family, in memory of Alice Miller by Dave and Gail Prestemon and an additional memorial was received for Abigail Osterholm by Dr. Steve and Judy Kurth.

Veterans Memorial Hospital began its own Cardiac Rehabilitation unit nearly two decades ago to help fill a need in the community - a need that has been and continues to be well utilized.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Half a million people die each year due to this disease. Many people develop symptoms of heart disease when they are in their 40s or 50s, interrupting a most productive time of life. Cardiac Rehabilitation is an important tool in the fight against heart disease. Rehabilitation involves monitored exercise, nutritional counseling, emotional support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce risks of heart problems.

The next local LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, March 1, from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon, allowing for more donors to give. LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Anyone who lives to the age of 72 will have a 95% probability of needing blood or blood products at sometime in their life, so blood donors are greatly needed.

Regular blood donors may donate blood as often as every 56 days. First-time donors will find that donating blood is a safe and easy way to save lives and make a difference in the community. One single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients. On average, 90% of first-time donors give at blood drives in their community. This is a great opportunity for first-time donors to see how easy the blood donation process is.

The donation process is simple:

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMTs, etc.) Monday, March 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

The cost of the class, for certification or recertification, is the same, and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask. The card received with the course does certify attendants in CPR for two years.

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