Health

Those who are eligible have until December 7 of this year to enroll in or change Medicare drug plans for 2027. Don’t wait until the last minute. Remember, if you’re 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.

Anyone who has questions about Medicare drug coverage should call their local SHIIP counselors at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. Both SHIIP Volunteers, Nancy Schoh and Vicki Bloxham, are trained and available to meet individually with anyone in the community who wishes to compare the Medicare Part D plans available for 2027.  Appointments are required.  Feel free to 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.

Enjoy a fun-filled Christmas Fantasy this year Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 13, 14, 15, and 16, at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion. The theme is “A Visit to the North Pole!”

Reservations are being taken now for the many popular events held during this four-day event, marking the 35th annual Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Christmas Fantasy.

Flu and Covid shots continue to be offered throughout various locations in Allamakee County during the month of October by Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health. 

Walk-In flu shot and Covid shot clinics will continue to be offered all remaining Wednesdays in October, including October 21, and 28. These walk-in clinics will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. at the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Appointments can also be made for afternoon immunizations these same days by calling 563-568-5660.  These afternoon by-appointment vaccines will be administered at the Community and Home Care office located at 12 E. Main Street in downtown Waukon.

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.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be holding its first ever retail scrub sales at Veterans Memorial Hospital Monday, October 26, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. located in the ICN Conference Room on the Lower Level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The Scrub Rack uniform shop from Dubuque, will be on site showcasing numerous brands and varieties of scrubs for shopping and taking home that same day. Scrubs, lab coats, student uniforms and also a wide variety of medical accessories will all be on sale in a variety of sizes. The Scrub Rack is also willing to order and send any items that may not be on hand that day.

These sales are open to anyone who works in any kind of medical setting and/or wears scrubs to work.

Parking for the scrub sale will be easily accessible on the east side of the hospital, along the golf course. Signage will be marking the entrance with the sales conveniently located right inside the door.

by Renee Stokman, Mammographer, Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some recent breast cancer statistics:
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second to lung cancer.
• It is estimated that this year, approximately 30% of all new female cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
• On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.
• Approximately 66-percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, before cancer has spread outside of the breast, when it is easiest to treat.
• The 5-year relative survival rate for cancer diagnosed at the localized stage is 99%.

October brings shorter days, changing weather, and shifts in familiar routines. For some older adults, this time of year may also bring changes in mood, sleep, energy, or interest in usual activities.

An older adult may begin spending more time alone, withdrawing from social activities, sleeping more or less than usual, or finding less enjoyment in hobbies. Paying attention to patterns can help families and caregivers recognize when additional support may be appropriate.

Regular routines, time outdoors during daylight hours, appropriate physical activity, enjoyable hobbies, and connection with others can support emotional well-being throughout the season.

When sadness, worry, isolation, or low energy persists and affects daily life, talking with a health care provider or mental health professional may be a helpful next step.

Local farmers can support Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) while potentially reducing their tax burden by donating grain or other commodities directly to the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.

For eligible farmers, donating grain before it is sold can provide tax advantages compared with selling the grain and donating the cash.  Because the donated grain is transferred directly to the Foundation, the farmer may avoid recognizing the grain’s sale as income, potentially reducing both income and self-employment taxes. 

The Foundation sells the grain and the proceeds go to support local health care needs at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics.

Here’s how it works:  Before the grain is sold, the farmer instructs the elevator to transfer ownership to Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation then handles the sale and provides the donor with acknowledgement of the gift.

Memorial donations were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Frances “Franny” Byrnes by Tom and Joan Fritz, Randy and Lori Hover, Marilyn Larson, Walt and Peggy Martin, Diane Regan, Tom and Karen Regan, Meg Schaller, Keith and Patrice Schulte, Chuck and Lois Vostmier and Betty White.

Memorials were also received in memory of Jean Huffey by Steve and Sheryl Evanson and Mavis Berns-Mathes; in memory of Gary Johanningmeier by Patsy Kerndt; in memory of Gayle Larkin by Ron and Nancy Adam, Dan and Traci Byrnes, Patsy Kerndt and Dean “Beanzy” Schellhammer; and in memory of Bob Livingston by Tom and Joan Fritz and Linda Siegrist.

Additional memorials were also received in memory of Sandy Hesse by John Bauercamper, Mary Ann Burke and Don and DiAnne Haler; in memory of Jane Butler by Lisa and Fred Mathews; and in memory of Monica Monserud by Linda Siegrist and Chuck and Lois Votsmier.

The annual Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Pillow Perk will be held Monday, October 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lower Level of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Kraft Pillow Service will be on site to make old pillows look like new. Everyone is encouraged to bring in their feather pillows to the Pillow Perk to be cleaned, sanitized and given new ticking. Foam and Dacron pillows may also be renovated by this process. Feather beds may be brought in to have them made into new pillows.

All items can be dropped off at the hospital’s loading dock entrance, located on the east side of the hospital, along the golf course. All items will be completed and ready for pick-up the same day.

For more information, feel free to call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Postville Clinic celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting at the newly expanded clinic September 24, a project funded in part by a $25,000 donation from the Black Hills Corporation Foundation.

Ivan Hackman, Operations Supervisor for the Black Hills Energy Decorah District, attended the ribbon cutting to present a check ahead of the grand opening. These funds will help put the finishing touches on the clinic expansion and equipment upgrades aimed at better serving the needs of citizens in Postville and surrounding communities. 

“Rural healthcare clinics and providers are vitally important to the communities they serve,” said Hackman. “These medical and mental health services reduce healthcare burdens, connect patients to resources, and help keep people in their homes and communities longer. We are grateful to have such a clinic in Postville and are proud to support the work they do.”