Health

In an effort to promote Robey Memorial Library’s early literacy program, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, the library and Library Foundation have partnered with Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon to reach out to families delivering babies at the hospital.

Starting January 1, a literacy care package will be gifted to each newborn at Veterans Memorial Hospital, including the board book, "Read to Your Bunny" by Rosemary Wells that was generously purchased by the Robey Memorial Library Foundation Board.

“This is a great gift from the library to give to each of our families delivering at VMH,” states Diane Allison, Obstetrics (OB) Supervisor at VMH. “The books are beautiful, hard cover books and include some nice coupons for a library tote bag and even the monthly library book sale. I am sure each family will really enjoy them.”

by Machelle Bulman, RN, Director of Nursing, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Happy New Year from VMH! It is a great time to start new with a healthier you! Here are a few tips to get you on your way.

1. Don’t wait until you’re sick to choose a primary provider.
2. See your primary provider for regular check-ups.
3. Develop a relationship with your primary care provider.

These three steps listed above will help you with all of the following:
• Better management of chronic diseases.
• Transparency of your entire health history.
• Getting your routine screening completed.
• Catching health issues earlier.
• Referrals made to medical specialists when needed.

By following these steps, you will see a decrease in hospitalizations and emergency (ER) visits while enjoying better patient/provider communication.

Flu Shots are still available at Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care. 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 without 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. These immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays.

Flu shots are also available by appointment from a Community and Home Care Nurse Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Anyone interested is asked to call the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Office at 563-568-5660 to schedule a time.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s new 2017 Health & Happiness Weight Loss Accountability Calendar and Class is still available to anyone in the area communities that is interested in participating. This is a 12-month long program designed to help one feel happier and more confident, and it also serves as a daily accountability partner to help reach weight loss goals. The Health & Happiness Accountability Calendars are available for purchase from the front desk at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

Veterans Memorial Hospital is encouraging individuals in the area communities to sign up to participate in Live Healthy Iowa for the next ten weeks, beginning January 23. Live Healthy Iowa offers many wellness advantages for its members including a 10-week long program, a flexible team size, an online option with good technical support, plus professional support and encouragement including weekly wellness tips, exercise videos and a wide array of nutritious recipes.

Registration for Live Healthy Iowa is going on now. Teams can be anywhere from two to ten members per team. The program is web-based with a personal tracking page that allows everyone to keep their own results right in front of them at all times. The Live Healthy Iowa website also offers unlimited access to recipes, workouts and other health information at any time.

Veterans Memorial Hospital is encouraging individuals in the area communities to sign up to participate in the Live Healthy Iowa wellness challenge this winter. The length of the Live Healthy Iowa program is ten weeks, allowing those involved a good duration to truly make these wellness changes a habit. Teams can be anywhere from two to ten members per team allowing for greater flexibility for each team.

The program is web-based with a personal tracking page that allows everyone to keep their own results right in front of them at all times.  And the professional support offered by Live Healthy Iowa offers weekly motivational emails and unlimited access to recipes, workouts and other health information, all easily accessible on the Live Healthy Iowa website.

Veterans Memorial Hospital has announced they are offering a new 2017 Health & Happiness Weight Loss Accountability Calendar as part of their new one-year weight loss program. This is a 12-month long program designed to help one feel happier and more confident, and serves as a daily accountability partner to help reach weight loss goals. The Health & Happiness Accountability Calendar can be purchased from the front desk at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Upper Explorerland Reginal Planning Commission, in partnership with the Winneshiek County Conservation Board and the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative, is again hosting the “Beat the Blues Winter Marathon Challenge” throughout the northeast Iowa region this winter. Participants of all ages are challenged to complete a full marathon - 26 miles, or more, in a variety of ways between December 10 and February 12.

Participants can run, walk, ski, snowshoe or bike 26 miles outdoors at their own pace, when it works for them, or they can play outside for 30 minutes to equal one mile. A fun “Final Mile Party” is planned for the end of the challenge and those completing one or more marathons will have a chance to win some great prizes donated by area businesses. To get started, visit http://www.winneshiekwild.com/.

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, 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 Teresa Myers, RN, C.D.E., Diabetes Educator, or Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested  Thursday, January 19. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner if desired. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. The cost is $3 per person with all proceeds going towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.