Support Groups

What is happening at Sioux Center Community Hospital & Health Center Avera?

I wanted to share some information regarding some of the support groups that the health system holds each month. There are three that I want to talk about with you today. I hold a Life after Loss Support Group, the others are a Parkinson’s Support Group and a Memory Loss Awareness Support Group.

Tell us a bit about those support groups.

The Life after Loss Support Group is a bereavement program that is designed to help people cope with the unfamiliar feelings associated with the loss of a loved one. This group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 4:30 – 6 pm in the Crown Pointe Gathering Room. You can pre-register by calling 722-8136.

So if you are someone who has lost a loved one, this sounds like a great way to help you learn to cope with all the emotions that are a part of the natural grieving process.

It is. And many people have found that this group helps them express their feelings and helps them deal with them in a healthy way. In our sessions, we learn about the healing and recovery process, share experiences with each other. Together we find strength and hope.

Tell us a bit about the Parkinson’s Support Group and the Memory Loss Awareness Support Group.

The Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1 pm in Royale Meadows Care Center. Caregivers, family members, and those dealing with Parkinson’s Disease are encouraged to join the group. Call 722-8325 for more information. No RSVP required.

The Memory Loss Awareness Support Group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1 pm in Royale Meadows Care Center. Like the Parkinson’s Support Group, this group is intended for caregivers, family members and those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. You can call 722-8256 for more information, but RSVPs are not required.

So these two groups are intended for everyone affected by these diseases, not just those diagnosed with Parkinson’s or a Memory Loss disorder, right?

That’s right, often the people who benefit the most are the care givers and family. When you care for a person struggling with these disorders, it is important to learn as much as you can about the disorder and it is equally important to have people that you can lean on for support.

Renae Negus, Bereavement and Volunteer Coordinator with Home Health and Hospice spoke on Hospital Happenings on 93.9 KSOU FM on Thursday, July 22.

How to install a car seat properly

As an OB nurse with the Sioux Center Community Hospital & Health Center Avera, I take great pride in helping educate parents about their new baby. In my years of experience, I have seen many new and even experienced parents struggle to understand how to correctly install their car seats. In fact in this year’s car seat safety check, we found an 84 percent misuse rate. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that will help keep your little miracle safe on the road:

• Make sure your car seat is the right size for your child.

• Do not buy a secondhand car seat because you don’t know if it has been in an accident.

• Infant seats should always face backward.

• Most Car Seats only have a six-year life span unless otherwise printed on the car seat. Some of the seats that can go from forward facing with harness to belt positioning booster to backless boosters have a 9-year life span.

• Your car seat should have a five point harness that fits snugly.

• A properly installed car seat base will not move more than an inch in either direction.

• The carrier handle should always be lowered during drives unless stated differently in the car seat manual. Toys should not dangle from the carrier handle because the toys have not been crash tested.

Marcia Van Voorst, LPN, Certified Car Seat Technician

The silent power of sleep

Sleep disorders are more common then you might think. There are over 100 known sleep disorders, but the one I want to focus on is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Statistics indicate that one in 10 Americans suffer from sleep apnea. On any given day 2 to 5 percent of the drivers on our highways are tired enough that they could fall asleep behind the wheel at anytime. (more…)

Healthy Hull Results

The results are in! Here are the first month results of the Healthy Hull fitness challenge 2010.  The points listed below are the average activity points per person for that team. 

1. Faithfully Fit (Cheryl Vierhout) – 218

2. Walkin’ Talkin’ Women (Tricia Marra) – 135

3. Mission Control (Jeanne Visser) – 131

4. Hoefin It(Melony Vande Hoef) – 111

5. Team Stiemsma(Craig Stiemsma) – 107

Please, feel free to leave posts to help motivate others and let them know what is working for you!

Farm Safety Day Camp 2010

The Annual Farm Safety Day Camp is open to kids ages 9 to 13 or for those entering grades 4 through 7. The goal of the camp is to reduce the incidences of agriculture-related injuries, illnesses and deaths by increasing kids’ awareness of the potential dangers associated with specific farm and ranch practices.

The camp will be held on Thursday, June 17 from 9:30 am – 9 pm at the Sioux County Fairgrounds in Sioux Center. Space is limited to the first 130 kids. Contact the Occupational Health Department at 712-722-8156 for a registration form. Or stop by Occupational Health or the hospital’s front desk to pick up a form.

View a Schedule of the day’s events.

National Health Care Week Puts Spotlight on People

A hospital is more than a place where people go to heal, it is a part of the community that fosters health and represents hope. From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to welcoming new life into the world, hospitals are central to a healthy and optimistic community. That’s the message organizers are touting with the 2010 National Health Care Week theme “Health, Hope & Healing.”

 The event theme is the centerpiece of a promotional campaign aimed at uniting health care facilities across the country during the May 9–15 celebration. “National Health Care Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” Kayleen Lee, administrator of the Sioux Center Community Hospital & Health Center, said. “We’re extremely proud of each member of our staff and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust to our patients and our communities.”

 The nation’s largest health care event, National Health Care Week dates back to 1921 when it was suggested by a magazine editor who hoped a community wide celebration would alleviate public fears about hospitals. The celebration, launched in Chicago, succeeded in promoting trust and goodwill among members of the public and eventually spread to facilities across the country.

Relay for Life team hosts Jewelry Sale

The Sioux Center Community Hospital & Health Center Avera participates in several missions throughout the year, and one of the biggest mission projects that we work for is the Relay for Life.  On Tuesday, May 4 from 8 am to 5 pm in the hospital conference room, the organization’s Relay for Life team, SCCH Siouxper Stars, will be hosting a Jewelry Sale. Every item at the sale is only $6.

Watches, rings, bracelets, cufflinks, necklaces and earrings will be available. In addition to jewelry, there will be wallets, purses, ties, sunglasses, reading glass and even scarves.

This sale comes at just the right time for everyone, men and women, because Mother’s Day is the following Sunday. At $6 an item, you’ll be able to splurge on your mom this year.

But most importantly, this event is to help raise money for a very worthy cause. Everyone has been touched by cancer, whether that be a friend or family member with cancer, or even you yourself. We all want to see an end to this disease and we should all be proud to help raise money and awareness to keep the research and this fight going.

Last year the health center’s team raised $7,500 for cancer research.

National Healthcare Decision Day

Talking about difficult health care decisions may feel uncomfortable — not having the conversation is far more serious. The Sioux Center Community Hospital & Health Center Avera urges you to set the example and complete an advance directive for National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, 2010.

Don’t leave loved ones to make difficult decisions under stress. Communicate what you want before the need arises. These decisions include:
• Who you would like to make health care decisions for you if you are unable
• What treatment options you wish to receive
• Whether or not life support should be used

Talk with family, friends, a spiritual advisor and your doctor about advance directives. Decide what is right for you, then, put it in writing. To learn more about preparing for decisions in healthcare, please contact Rachael Van Beek, Social Worker, at 722-8234 or visit the Avera resources.

VELOCITY Sports Enhancement Camp

VELOCITY is an intensive 6-week athletic enhancement program to help athletes achieve optimum results on the field and/or court. This program will be held three time a week. Each session lasts an hour and a half.

VELOCITY is open to all athletes entering 7th grade through college age. Each athlete will undergo pre and post program testing focusing on power, speed, agility, and flexibility. Through proper training, the athletes will produce visible results including increased speed, strenth, flexibility, agility, and endurance.

The knowledge and experience of our athletic trainers will be combined with equipment to maximize your tranformation at VELOCITY. Our equipment includes cones, ladders, medicine, and plyometric balls, and resistance bands.

Another focus will be proper body mechanics and stretching techniques to assist athletes in greatly reducing the risk for injury during the season.

DATES and TIMES

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
June 7 – July 16

AM sessions: 9-10:30 am
PM sessions: 4-5:30 pm
Times subject to change depending on ages and number of applicants.

LOCATION
Dordt College Rec Center, Sioux Center, Iowa

TOTAL COST
$100 payable to Sioux Center Community Hospital & Health Center Avera. This covers the cost for all six weeks.

Download a registration blank and return with payment to Sioux Center Community Hospital Physical Therapy or Hull Physical Therapy. You can mail the form and waiver to:

Sioux Center Community Hospital
Attn: Physical Therapy
605 South Main Ave
Sioux Center, IA 51250

Healthy Hull 2010

Healthy Hull is a fun and motivating 3-month fitness competition sponsored by Hull Physical Therapy and Hull Fitness Center. There are two divisions of competition: weight loss and/or minutes of activity. Schools, churches, families, friends, and businesses are encouraged to develop teams.  You can also participate individually. All ages are welcome to join. A monetary prize is given to the winning teams of both divisions!

DATES
The start date is April 6. Registration deadline is March 29.

ENTRY FEE OPTIONS
All options include a t-shirt and a 10% off Fitness Center Coupon.

• $40 per person includes: cholesterol lab test before AND after contest and blood pressure screen and weight/body fat analysis.
• $30 per person includes: cholesterol lab test BEFORE contest, blood pressure screen and weight/body fat analysis.
• $15 per person includes: blood pressure screen and weight/body fat analysis.

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