Health

Many older men face depression, anxiety, or emotional distress later in life, often without talking about it. This is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Senior Life Solutions proudly supports healing through compassionate outpatient group therapy designed specifically for older adults.

Senior Life Solutions provides outpatient services for individuals, typically age 65 and older, experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes often associated with aging.   Since social connection is a major part of mental health, Senior Life Solutions offers group therapy three times per week to build routine and purpose in the lives of area older Americans. Individual therapy, medication management, and after-care planning are also services included with Senior Life Solutions services.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions Program provides a safe, structured group setting where older men can share experiences and find strength in community.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Jean Huffey by Lynn and Bruce Anderson, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Sandra Bresnahan, David and Brenda Carlson, Roger and Lynn Ellefson, Mike and Cindy Gibbs, Mary Ann Hager, David and Suzanne Hahn, Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank, Gary Kolsrud, Dave and Karen Mathis, Allen and Connie Meiners, James and Janice Pfiffner, Loretta Roese, Lillian Schnieden, Linda Siegrist, Marvin and Marjorie Strike, Chuck and Lois Votsmer, Terry and Laurie Welch, Betty White and Donna Wood.

Memorials were also received in memory of James Norman Garson by Karen and Ed Stamper; in memory of Wilfred Loebig, Jr. by Chuck and Lois Votsmier; and in memory of John Prohaski by Bob, Julie, John and Beth Rotach. Plus additional memorials were received in memory of Irvin Fosaaen by Dave and Laurie Martin and Cindy Hustad Stube and Kraig Stube.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s 33rd Annual Benefit Golf Tournament will be held Monday, June 22, at the Waukon Golf and Country Club beginning with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. Teams of three will play 18 holes of golf. Breakfast rolls, lunch, dinner and prizes for everyone will all be provided for the donation of $100 per person or $300 per team.

This is the 33rd annual golf tournament the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation has sponsored. All those interested are asked to pre-register their team by calling the Waukon Golf and Country Club at 563-568-9939. 

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation is a volunteer board who raise funds to help promote health care in the area communities served by Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH).

The members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be holding their fourth annual garage sale in the FreedomBank Community Room in Waukon in conjunction with the Waukon City-Wide Garage Sales. The Auxiliary garage sale will be open Wednesday, June 3, from 1-6 p.m., continuing Thursday, June 4, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will conclude Friday, June 5 including hours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This Auxiliary garage sale will feature clean, usable household items in good working condition.  No clothing, shoes or electronics will be offered. Most all items will be offered for a free-will donation.

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

It’s great to get out and enjoy the outdoors here in northeast Iowa, but remember to be vigilant about checking yourself and others with you for ticks. Examine your skin as best you can and use a hand held mirror if available. Fine toothed combs can also be used in helping to check your scalp. “ I’d Like to Check You for Ticks”, isn’t just the catchy title to a country song, but a good idea to have someone else check the areas you can’t easily see.

There are ways to help decrease the likelihood of a tick bite or attachment:
• Treat dogs and cats for ticks
• Wear insect repellant containing the ingredient DEET (not recommended for children under 2 months of age)
• Wear permethrin treated clothing
• Check yourself for ticks after being outdoors, especially after being out in the woods
• Shower soon after coming indoors

June is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. Many older adults are living with the lasting effects of trauma, often quietly. With the right support, healing is possible at any age.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Senior Life Solutions (SLS) Program offers compassionate, outpatient group therapy designed to help older adults feel understood, supported, and connected. Anyone age 65 and older, struggling with PTSD and needs support is encouraged to reach out to them at 563-568-5560 or visit www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.

Anyone under age 65 struggling with PTSD is encouraged to self-refer themselves to the Behavioral Health Clinic at either the Waukon or Postville Clinics.  To make an appointment in Waukon, call 563-568-5540 or in Postville call 563-864-7221.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will not hold a regular meeting in June this month. They will meet again July 16.

For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Irv Fosaaen by Cindy Barness, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Brad and Erin Berns, Kathryn Campbell, Eaton and Kris Cote’, Mary Cunningham, Randall and Janice Ellis, Christine Engstrom, Steve and Sheryl Evanson, Frank and Patty Goltz, Randy and Lori Hover, Gil and Sherrie Hunstad, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1115, James and Jill Kiesau, Tammy and Mary Knudtson, Ken and Gloria Krambeer, Ardys Kuhse, Lyle and Cindy Leikvold, Randy and Patricia Nordheim, Carol Paus, Patricia Pettingill, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Bill and Beth Shafer, Matt and Dawn Teslow, Susan Throndrud, Chuck and Lois Votsmier and the Waukon Economic Development in honor of Irv’s years of service to the Waukon community.

The members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be holding their fourth annual garage sale in the FreedomBank Community Room in Waukon in conjunction with Waukon City-Wide Garage Sales. The Auxiliary garage sale will be open Wednesday, June 3, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m, continuing Thursday, June 4, from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and will conclude Friday, June 5 with hours of 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The new Senior Life Solutions (SLS) Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be hosting a Wellness Chat and Bingo Tuesday, June 2, in Waukon at Robey Memorial Library from 4-5:30 p.m. Any seniors, age 65 and over, are invited to attend and enjoy playing bingo while sharing some social time together. Prizes will also be awarded.

This bingo opportunity is made possible by Senior Life Solutions which is a new department of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Senior Life Solutions provides outpatient services designed to meet the unique needs of individuals age 65 and over who may be experiencing low mood, sadness, grief, excessive worry or anxiety related to life changes often associated with aging.  They provide group and individual therapy, medication management and after-care planning when needed.