SE*ED: Sleeping for Good Health

The mystery and magic of a good night sleep will be discussed at the September 28 Grinnell Regional Medical Center Senior Education Program. All are invited to hear Melisa Coaker, MD, Mercy Sleep Center, discuss The Science of a Good Night Sleep.

Coaker sees patient at GRMC in the visiting specialty clinic as well as provides oversight to the GRMC Sleep Lab, operated by Mercy Sleep Lab. Her SE*ED program will focus on why you need a good night sleep, factors affecting your sleep, sleep disorders, and misconceptions about sleep.

Her slide show will also address common sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, insufficient sleep, and restless legs syndrome. She will send participants home with sleep hygiene tips to improve their sleep quality.

This program is free and open to the public. It will be held at 10 a.m. in the Drake Community Library, with refreshments beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Parking is available at the Drake Community Library, along Park Street, on Fifth Avenue, and in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot. Seniors needing transportation may call GRMC Communications and Development at 641-236-2593 by the Thursday before the program.

If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-236-2593. For more information about upcoming speakers, please check GRMC’s website at www.grmc.us.

SE*Ed: The Art of Twisting Balloons

Participants at Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s upcoming Senior Education program will have the opportunity to learn about the history of twisting balloons as well as try their hand at making a balloon toy.

Self-taught balloon artist Charlie Clements will give a presentation on “Inflated Ideas: The Art of Twisting Balloons.” Clements became interested in balloon art after being taught how to make a simple balloon sword at a small fundraiser several years ago.

“I was fascinated by the transformation from a long balloon to a recognizable toy sword. Later, we bought a small balloon making kit at a toy store for my son to play with. It came with a book that showed how to make a few simple figures. We goofed around with that and got reasonably good at making the easy ones,” Clements says. Since then he has expanded his abilities with other books and You Tube videos. He volunteers regularly in the elementary schools and often makes animals and figures for children that achieve various academic goals. He has also performed at GRMC, Drake Community Library, Grinnell College, Relay for Life, and Grinnell’s annual elementary school carnival.

“There’s something magical about handing something you’ve just made to another person, especially a child, and seeing their face light up,” Clements says.

During his presentation, Clements will describe what is needed to become a practicing balloon artist. He will offer some information about the history of balloon art, tell you where you can get supplies, probably tell some bad jokes to annoy his wife, and, of course, demonstrate how to make several balloon sculptures. There will be audience participation, too. His goal is to have everyone in attendance make their own balloon sword.

Clements warns that many balloons will be harmed during the presentation. “If you are allergic to latex or loud noises, this may not be for you,” he says.

This program is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Drake Community Library with refreshments beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Looking ahead on the schedule, SEED will welcome Melisa Coaker, MD, sleep specialist, who will give a presentation about sleep medicine on Monday, Sept. 28.

Parking is available at the Drake Community Library, along Park Street, on Fifth Avenue, and in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot. Seniors needing transportation may call GRMC Communications and Development, 641-236-2593, by Thursday before the program.

If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-236-2593. For more information about upcoming speakers please check GRMC’s website at www.grmc.us or call 641-236-2593

SE*ED: Program to Look at the Past and Future of Eye Care

Kara Collings, OD, will present the History of Eye Care and Evolution of Cataract Surgery, at the Monday, Sept. 14, Grinnell Regional Medical Center Senior Education Program.

The history of eye care dates back to the 13th century when spectacles first appeared.  Collings, an optometrist at Jensen Optometrists, will talk about the evolution of optometry and its progression from the days of using glass and globes filled with water to read text to our modern day spectacles. 

Collings will also discuss the progression of cataract surgery from ancient to modern times and will engage the audience with a real cataract surgery video.  She plans to touch on the future of optometry and eyeglasses as well as how cataract surgery is quickly evolving and where eye surgery is headed.

This program is free and open to the public. It will be held at 10 a.m. in the Drake Community Library, with refreshments beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Parking is available at the Drake Community Library, along Park Street, on Fifth Avenue, and in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot. Seniors needing transportation may call GRMC Communications and Development at 641-236-2593 by the Thursday before the program.

If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-236-2593. For more information about upcoming speakers, please check GRMC’s website at www.grmc.us.

GRMC Now Offers At-Home Sleep Studies

Grinnell Regional Medical Center can now offer patients a self-administered at-home sleep test, as opposed to the inpatient sleep studies done in the sleep lab on the GRMC campus. Melisa Coaker, MD, a sleep specialist, states that the ability to give at-home sleep studies is all about patient convenience.

“I think that home sleep testing performed on the right patients has much opportunity and potential,” Coaker says. “We can test many more patients, and we can capture much of the same results as an inpatient procedure.”

 The new at-home sleep test will give GRMC the ability to administer more sleep tests, with each test expected to be a fraction of the cost of inpatient sleep tests. The main benefit brought by the new option is the ease and convenience of administering the study at home.

“A lot of patients are scared to come in and sleep in the lab, and this is a good alternative in their own homes,” Coaker says.

The new device is roughly the shape and size of a standard mail envelope with several attachments that each patient will be trained in using. Once at home, the patients simply sleep in their own beds while being monitored by the machine.

To participate in the sleep study, a general physician may refer patients, or patients may opt for self-referral. Some insurance carriers require a referral for coverage.

For more information about sleep disorders, sleep studies, or to schedule a sleep test at home or at GRMC, contact the GRMC Sleep Lab at 515-358-9640. The GRMC Sleep Lab contracts with CIC Associates, P.C., and Mercy Sleep Lab.

GRMC Auxiliary Hosts Bridge and 500 Invitational

The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary invites all bridge and 500 card players to an invitational on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the St. Francis Manor Social Center. Registration begins at noon, with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. and games to follow.

Men and women of all skill levels are welcome to this afternoon of fun, card playing, and socializing. There will be a free-will donation raffle held for a chance to win a fabulous prize. Additionally, there will be prizes for the players for the invitational, and a door prize provided by Vonda’s Flowers and Gifts.

Proceeds from the event will support the GRMC Auxiliary’s $150,000 pledge toward the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite.

“This is a great afternoon to enjoy cards and to support the auxiliary and its commitment to the chemotherapy and infusion suite,” says Leila Maring, auxiliary invitational chair.

A $10 fee is charged to cover the luncheon and prizes. Please RSVP by calling Maring at 641-236-3743 or email her at lmaring@mchsi.com, by September 17. 

New SHIIP Counselor Offering Medicare Information in Grinnell

“Where can I go to find answers about the Medicare prescription drug plans?  Are mammograms covered by Medicare Part B?  What is a Medicare Advantage plan?

I’m turning 65—who can help me understand Medicare?  My medications have gotten so expensive I just can’t afford to take them all, is there any help?”

Answers to these questions can be found by meeting with Gary Cook or any of the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteers in Grinnell.

Cook recently completed the extensive training program conducted by the State of Iowa Insurance Division. He has been in the Grinnell community since 1974, where he and his wife Bev raised their two sons, Bryan and Kevin. When Cook retired from Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, he chose to donate his time as an insurance counselor because he feels insurance is his area of expertise and he is uniquely qualified to help the community.

“I really encourage everyone to give back in some manner that they feel comfortable doing,” Cook said. “My experiences made the SHIIP program a good place for me.”

He had been volunteering at GRMC for years as a driver of a courier van until he was asked to come on board with SHIIP. Although the summer months are slow, appointments will begin to pick up in the fall.

Autumn is a time to go back and review your insurance program as the year is coming to an end, and think about any changes that you might want to make in your healthcare plans.

People wishing to schedule an appointment with a SHIIP counselor should call 641-236-2588.

SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, was created in 1990 in response to the statewide need for senior health insurance information.  SHIIP provides free informational materials as well as one-to-one assistance with questions and problems related to Medicare benefits, Medicare supplement insurance, Medicare and insurance claims and other related issues.  SHIIP does not recommend insurance companies, plans or agents; the volunteers answer questions and provide impartial information to help Iowans on Medicare make well-informed decisions.

"Adventure is Here" to Launch GRMC's Blue Jean Ball

Grinnell Regional Medical Center and RE/MAX Realty Partners have joined ideas to launch GRMC’s Blue Jean Ball a little early this year. RE/MAX Realty Partners has donated the ride of a lifetime: an adventure for two through the clouds in a hot air balloon.
“GRMC provides numerous health services to local community members and we want to do our part to support them,” said Matt Karjalahti, RE/MAX Realty Partners real estate agent. “At this year’s Blue Jean Ball, GRMC will be auctioning several packages that focus on experiences and adventures. This hot air balloon ride is a great way to kick off the fundraiser and demonstrate the great auction items.”
The hot air balloon ride will be Saturday, Sept. 26, during the annual Fly-In/Drive-In breakfast sponsored by Lowry Flying Service and the Grinnell Optimist Club. Everyone in the community is welcome for breakfast. Tickets for the breakfast may be purchased in advance through Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Community First Credit Union, or Grinnell Optimist Club members. Come out and join in their fun-filled day!
The GRMC balloon trip will last for an hour and the RE/MAX Realty hot air balloon crew will transport participants back to Grinnell when the trip is complete.
Raffle tickets are $20 and can be purchased at The Glass Gift Box, on the first floor of the hospital, or online at bit.ly/GRMCAdventureIsHere. All funds raised will go toward the Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign to renovate the emergency department. To date, GRMC has raised nearly $3.2 million in gifts and pledges for the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign
If you don’t fly high with the balloon ride, plan to dance the night away at the 2015 Blue Jean Ball on Saturday, Oct. 17, in the Harris Center at Grinnell College. Silent auction, wine pull, and raffle begin at 7:30 p.m.; live auction begins at 8:30 p.m., and music by The Dweebs begins at 9 p.m.
For additional information about the Blue Jean Ball, contact Heidi Ramaeker Pearson at 641-236-2961 or hpearson@grmc.us