Health

Consider a different way to give back to the heart of the community by donating blood. The next local drive will be held in Waukon Monday, October 6, from 12 Noon-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

People who give blood have an 88% lower risk of having a heart attack so giving blood is a win-win situation for both the donor and the recipient. Blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin are all checked at every blood donation so donors know if it’s high or low and can see patterns that may cause concern, helping keep them healthy and reducing heart attack risk.

Blood donations are needed everywhere, even right here in the state of Iowa. First-time donors will find that donating blood is a safe and easy way to save lives and make a difference in their community. One single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients.

from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Allamakee Public Health

More bats test positive for rabies yearly in Iowa than any other animal species. Bats are also the most active in our state during the fall as they search for places to hibernate for the winter. This is when most Iowans come into direct contact with bats, potentially getting exposed to rabies.

Not all bats have rabies, but it’s important to recognize possible signs of rabies in bats. Unusual behaviors that could indicate that a bat has rabies include:
• A bat that is active during the day.
• A bat that is found in unusual places (inside a home or on the ground).
• A bat that is unable to fly or is easily approached.

Flu Shots are beginning October 1 at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health.  Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine, and they will be effective through the rest of flu season.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care will be offering flu shot clinics all Wednesdays in October, including October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.   Walk-in clinics will be held 9-11:30 a.m. and appointments can be made for immunizations those afternoons by calling 563-568-5660.

by Katy Maker, Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner, Veterans Memorial Hospital & Clinics

Gynecologic cancers include cervical cancer, endometrial, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and vulvar cancers. Of these cancers, only cervical cancer is preventable in 90% of cases.  Screening for gynecologic cancers is important despite feelings of embarrassment.  With an awareness of how personal these exams are, I would strongly recommend establishing care with a healthcare provider that you feel comfortable with, who is respectful, and understands trauma-informed care and that you are sure will answer your questions and respect your concerns.

September is National Healthy Aging Month
 
By the end of year 2025, over 25% of Iowa’s population is expected to be 60 years or older, according to the Iowa Department on Aging¹. The health and wellbeing of older adults is a priority in the state.

September is National Healthy Aging Month and Allamakee Public Health (aka Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services are reminding Iowans to make sure they are up to date on key vaccines.

“As people grow older, they may be more susceptible to infectious diseases. Vaccination plays a vital role in preventing illnesses and protecting older adults from potentially severe complications,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney RN. “Staying up to date on immunizations is one of the easiest, safest ways to protect yourself.”

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s 2025 Christmas Fantasy will be themed, “A Christmas Vacation!” Christmas Fantasy decorators are needed to decorate the numerous trees for display as well as donors needed for the silent auction items such as miniature trees, wall hangings, quilted items, gift baskets, centerpieces and more. 

The 2025 event will be held Friday through Monday, November 14-17.  Plans will again include the usual Friday night happy hour event, Saturday night wine, cheese and dessert event, the Sunday morning Brunch with Santa, general admission Sunday and Monday afternoons and the Monday noon luncheon.

Christmas tree decorators are needed to decorate their artificial tree for display during the Fantasy. These tree decorators may set-up prior to the event and will then take all of their decorations and displays home again following the event. 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, September 18 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.     

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), Elliott Jewelers and the Waukon Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Wellness Night Out will be held this Thursday, September 11, from 4-7 p.m. at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion.  The doors will open at 4 p.m. with the first 200 ladies attending receiving a goodie bag filled with information, freebies and coupons. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by the Auxiliary members, available and enjoyed throughout the evening, along with a cash bar hosted by the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7 for anyone contemplating suicide. This year, the 988 Crisis Lifeline shares the message of ‘Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere.’   

This theme reflects the core principles and messaging promoted by the 988 Lifeline and partner organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Vibrant Emotional Health:
• Emphasizing accessibility: The phrases reinforce that help is always available through a simple, three-digit number.
• Reducing stigma: The language is designed to encourage those experiencing emotional distress to seek help by highlighting that support is confidential and non-judgmental.
• Building a better crisis response: The theme of “reimagining crisis response” reflects the broader, long-term goal of improving mental health crisis services nationwide.

by Brandy Strub, RD/LD, Dietitian, Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
September is National Cholesterol Education Month. Per the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is recommended that cholesterol be checked for kids once between ages 9-11 and again between ages 17-21. Children with obesity or diabetes may need to be screened more often.

For healthy adults, it is recommended that they be checked every 4-6 years. Those with heart disease, diabetes, or a family history of high cholesterol should be checked more frequently.  

Risk factors for high cholesterol include: family history, diet high in saturated and trans fats, low physical activity, smoking, age, sex, type II diabetes, and obesity.