Health

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Orin Grangaard by Barb and Mark Howe, Jim and Jennifer Withers, the Thursday Club, Carolyn Thomson and Gene Maurer, Jon and Cathy Buhl, and Norb and Nola Palmer.

Memorials were also received in memory of Dan Buege by George and Helen Beardmore, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Gordon and Darlene Kaeser, Randy and Patty Nordheim, Patsy Kerndt and Kerndt Brothers Bank.

Memorials were also given in memory of Dale Kiesau by Dave and Laurie Martin and Chuck and Lois Votsmier; in memory of Ron Goeke by Patsy Kerndt and in memory of Russ Roe by Jan Ellingson.

In addition, a donation was received from Robin Sawyer in honor of Wayne and Nona Sawyer.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon is still continuing to require the use of masks, even following the recent updated Governor proclamation. Anyone who is coming to the hospital for any type of service will be asked to continue to wear a mask during their visit. Social distancing and excellent hand hygiene will be continued as well, all in an effort to continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on the hospital’s campus and in the area communities served by the hospital.

Veterans Memorial Hospital did recently make an adjustment to its visitor policy, increasing from one visitor per day per inpatient to three visitors per day; however, this adjustment is subject to change at any time. All visitors are asked to check in at the main entrance of the hospital prior to their visit.

The Iowa Healthcare Collaborative alerted Veterans Memorial Hospital of news of COVID-19 scams which they had received from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Scammers are using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits to perpetrate COVID-19-related scams.

Examples shared by the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative included:

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon began its own Cardiac Rehabilitation Department nearly three decades ago to help fulfill 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.

Over 950,000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular disease. Since February is National Heart Month, Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon provides the following facts and tips on heart health:

from the American Institute for Cancer Research

Many people feel more anxious and depressed during the winter months. For some people, these mood changes are so severe that they interfere with life activities and enjoyment. Unfortunately, people affected by the syndrome “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD) often don’t realize that it can be treated through several different light and lifestyle approaches.

Symptoms of SAD include sadness and sluggishness, particularly in the afternoon and evening. There may also be increased desire for sleep, increased appetite and carbohydrate cravings - which often lead to weight gain. These symptoms occur in winter and fade in spring and summer. Official diagnosis of the syndrome requires that these changes occur over three or more winters. Researchers believe that changing levels of sunlight affect the body’s production of serotonin, a hormone which seems to promote positive mood.

The Caregiver Support Group meetings that were held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon continue to be held through conference calls during COVID-19. Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432. Then enter the participant code 961847# to then be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Contact Kelly Kuennen of Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging at 800-779-8707 with any questions.
 

February is Heart Month.  Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to encourage the public to learn the American Heart Association’s “Hands Only CPR.” This simple way of performing CPR is very easy to do and effective for the victim.

According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death with nearly 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring annually in the United States. On average, 89% of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene.

The American Heart Association has found Hands Only CPR to be as effective as conventional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest at home, at work, or in the public - doubling or even tripling a victim’s chance of survival.

Since 80% of cardiac arrests happen in private or residential settings, learn these simple steps for performing Hands Only CPR to help save the life of someone you love:

The local Grief Support Group will again begin holding monthly meetings at Veterans Memorial Hospital Tuesday, February 9 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Chapel Room, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

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, and be sure to wear a mask. All attendees will be able to physically distance during the meeting. This grief support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.