Health

It can cost you money not to review your Medicare Part D coverage. In one hour a SHIIP counselor can complete a review, let you know if you can save money and make sure you have access to the drugs you need in 2017.  SHIIP counselors in Iowa have been saving people money for 25 years. In fact, last year they helped Iowans on Medicare save close to $15 million on Part D drug costs.

Every year Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans announce their changes for the next year and Iowans on Medicare can decide if they want to change plans from October 15 to December 7.

Kris Gross from the state of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) says, “We’re asking everyone to remind family, friends and neighbors about these important dates.

We don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to make their choice of plans for 2017.”  Plans can change their coverage and costs from year to year, so comparing plans during the open enrollment is critical.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. The Rehabilitation staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital works with people of all ages, helping them to reduce pain and regain strength, independence and health. The Healthy Lifestyles Rehabilitation Center at Veterans Memorial Hospital is fully equipped for all rehabilitation patients with 17 weight machine stations, tread mills, exercise bikes, NuStep and eliptical machines. The five private treatment rooms allow one-on-one evaluation and treatment with the therapists.

Individual Physical Therapy services provided include athletic training, home health, work hardening/conditioning, wellness programs, headache management, lymphodema therapy, and wound care. Now five physical therapists currently serve Veterans Memorial Hospital and the surrounding community, including Amy Robinson, P.T., Rehabilitation Director; Laurel

By Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN, Public Health Supervisor, VMH Community and Home Care

One of the tasks each year parents experience is getting their children’s immunizations up to date. Common questions include: What is my child’s immunization status? Are they caught up? What do they need? What is that one for?

If you do not have a current immunization record for your child there are a few different ways you can get one. You can obtain a copy from the facility where your child received their immunizations, you can contact your local public health department, or you can contact your school if your child is school age.

October is the month to start a Medicare Part D check-up for 2017. Those eligible are reminded to watch their mailbox for news about Medicare drug plans and changes coming next year.     They will be able to enroll in or change their Part D plan for 2017 from October 15 through December 7, 2016.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon has Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors available throughout the entire enrollment period.   SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa.  These SHIIP volunteers will be available to meet individually with anyone in the community who wishes to compare the Medicare Part D plans available for 2017.

Appointments are required. Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule an appointment. Those utilizing the service will need to bring their Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of their medications from their pharmacy.
 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Radiology Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon has extended hours into the evening to allow for more mammogram appointments to be scheduled after work, making mammography more accessible.

Mammography (an x-ray picture of the breast) is the single most effective method to detect breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. Early detection, followed by up-to-date treatment, provides women with better chances for long-term freedom from the disease. But mammography screening must be done routinely.

The staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon enjoyed helping Evelyn Folkers of Monona celebrate her 105th birthday while she was a patient in the hospital. Pictured, left to right, surrounding Evelyn are Dietsy Weymiller, RN; Ruth Hageman, RN; Corinne Cook, RN; Karen Regan, Ward Clerk; and Callie Thorson, C.N.A. presenting Evelyn with a birthday bouquet. Submitted photo.
 

You have until December 7, 2016 to enroll in or change Medicare drug plans for 2017. Do not wait until the last minute. Remember, if you are on Medicare and don’t have drug coverage, or the coverage you have is not as good as Medicare’s, you will face a penalty for each month you delay enrolling.

If you have questions about Medicare drug coverage, call your local SHIIP counselor at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. SHIIP volunteers are available to meet individually with anyone in the community who wishes to compare the Medicare Part D plans available for 2017. Appointments are required. Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule your appointment. You will need to bring your Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of your medications from your pharmacy. SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon hosted another record crowd for their 12th Annual Women’s Health Day Luncheon Tuesday, September 27 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Over 225 ladies attended the salad luncheon hosted by the Auxiliary members, plus many free health and wellness tests were available.

The theme for this year’s event was “Treasure Your Health.” Featured speakers included Janet Palmer of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital, who explained her own experience as a cancer survivor. Dr. Dave Schwartz of the Mayo Health System delivered advice in his presentation “The B.E.S.T. Workout for Life.”

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Wednesday, October 12 at 2 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room of the hospital, which is located on the lower level.

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 meets the second Wednesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, October 20 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.