Health And Fitness
The Lutheran Home for the Aged Association East Statement on COVID cases
Several cases of COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus, have been diagnosed in our nursing facility at the Vinton Lutheran Home. Those affected are receiving treatment in our facility and will remain in isolation for at least 10 days. There have been no cases in our Assisted Living Apartments, Town Homes, or Home Health patients.
VGH Main Entrance will now screen visitors before entering
To all of our patients and staff, Starting Saturday, October 10th, 2020, for the safety of everyone, you will now need to ring a doorbell at the hospital's main entrance where you will be greeted and screened by our staff. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding that safety is our first priority.Thank you!
Manage the Additional Stress following the Derecho
Iowans still are managing the uncertainly and anxiety produced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Drought related conditions have added another layer of stress for agriculture producers in many areas of the state. And now, many individuals and communities are facing the aftermath of an unusually powerful derecho – a widespread, straight-line windstorm – that surged through Iowa.
Make Healthy Connections: 6th Health and Wellness Fair October 12-15
Since it started six years ago, the Benton County Health and Wellness Fair has grown in popularity, and this year was to be no exception. The event is usually scheduled earlier in the spring, but this year organizers chose to postpone as they determined the best way to proceed in light of concerns over COVID-19. After careful thought and planning, the event will be held this month, slightly different from years past.
State Updates Long-Term Care Facility Visitation Guidance
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) are updating guidance for long-term care facilities to comply with new requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This [upd]d guidance aligns with federal regulations to balance resident and staff safety with quality of life.
Health News You Can Use
You will find the October NEWS (Nutrition Education with Seniors) newsletter below.This edition features:· Do You Heart Chocolate?· Canned Kidney Beans· Budgeting Tip Jar· Holiday Plans· Recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Chili Have a great day!Kelsey Salow and Vera Stokes, Nutrition & Wellness Specialists October 2020Do you heart chocolate? Soon grocery aisles will be overflowing with Halloween candy.
Virginia Gay Hospital’s Sam Jirak receives 2020 All Star Award
Congratulations to Virginia Gay Hospital's Sam Jirak, ARNP for receiving a 2020 All Star Award! The All Star Award is in conjunction with the ICR Iowa Sector Board Partnerships and Kirkwood Community College working to raise awareness of career opportunities and workforce development in the ICR seven-county region (Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties).
FDA warns about serious problems with high doses of allergy medicine Benadryl
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death. We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the “Benadryl Challenge” encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok.
Words on Wellness October Newsletter
Attached you will find your edition of the October 2020 Words on Wellness newsletter.Click to View.This edition features:· Home Food Preservation: Apples and Tomatoes· Recipe for Apple Cinnamon Bread· Take a Hike· Lunch and Learn! Stay well,For resources to use during the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit our Finding Answers Now page.
Sauer retires after 42 years of service
Leeann Sauer, an LPN for Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab has retired after 42 years of service. She was the longest-serving nurse at VGNR. "She dedicated her life to making the resident's lives better. Leeann has always gone the extra mile by spending time with residents, making them something that would make them smile-often on her own time. No matter what circumstance she was presented with, she led with her heart to give the best care.