Shovel Safely

Snow—a lot of thick, heavy snow—has fallen, which means this Iowa winter finally has Iowa winter weather. Freshly fallen snow offers a pristine, blank canvas on which we can build pudgy snowmen, make sweet snow angels, have a neighborhood snowball fight, or even tattoo a field with snowmobile tracks. While playtime in the sparkling spread is enough to make most anyone smile, many of us become dismayed at the sight of the fluffy white stuff, as we are tasked with the dreaded chore of snow removal.

Snow removal is a necessary evil. If the driveway, sidewalks, or roadways are not properly scooped, scraped, or plowed, vehicles may become stuck and people could become injured. On the same train of thought, if snow removal is not done safely, injury can result. So, before the time comes for you to brave the bitter cold to make your driveway passable, please take these safe shoveling tips from the Snow & Ice Management Association into consideration.

1. Stay on top of the snow. Don’t wait until the storm is over to remove the snow; shovel your driveway and walkways every few inches to avoid snow and ice making your territory their temporary home.
2. When shoveling, wear layers of clothing that allow your sweat to evaporate. Layer breathable materials, like cotton or silk, that you can remove as you become uncomfortably warm.
3. Wear warm, waterproof boots with good traction to keep your feet from becoming cold or from slipping.
4. Stretch before you shovel. Shoveling is a workout, and stretching will warm up and loosen your muscles before “working out” in the cold. Stretching may also help prevent injury and fatigue (no unnecessary visits to the GRMC ER).
5. Whenever possible, push the snow off to the side, don’t lift it. This will help conserve your strength and energy, while putting less stress on your body, particularly your lower back.
6. Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. As mentioned earlier, shoveling is a workout, so drink water as if you were working out in a gym or running long distance.
7. Pay attention to your surroundings. Focusing on the task at hand is important in preventing injuries, but pay attention to your surroundings, particularly while shoveling next to the road, as motorists may not have good traction due to the snow and ice.
8. Keep your cell phone close, that way in the event there is an emergency, you can seek help.

In the event of an injury, the GRMC emergency room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are unable to get to the ER safely or cannot physically manage, call 9-1-1.

The Art of Gifting - to Yourself

It is the time of year when talk of gifts to give and receive abounds. You may be in the gifting mode yourself, with a list that falls to your knees of people you plan to buy or make gifts for.

But, take a closer look at your list – is your name on it? 

It should be – and it should be at the top of the list. The greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of health. When you have the best health possible, you can best provide for all of those other people on your gift list. So, make out several of those gift tags to read “To: ME.”

Ideas for health to gifts to yourself:

·         Stock your kitchen with some of the foods from the Mediterranean diet, such as beans and lentils, fish and seafood high in heart and brain-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, poultry, whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts, olive and grapeseed oils, seeds, vinegars, garlic, herbs and spices, eggs, yogurt, cheese, and milk.

·         Drink water.

·         Be active every day.

·         Get seven to eight hours of a good sleep each night.

·         Schedule an annual check-up.

·         Enjoy the company of others.

·         Write down three things that you are grateful for every day.

·         Spend 20 minutes a day in quiet reflections, meditation, or prayer.

What is one of the best things about gifting to yourself?  You don’t have to wrap it!

-Written by Elaine Hammes, MS, RDN, LD

Be the One

Grinnell Regional Medical Center conducts an Annual Fund Drive, which is an essential part of the patient experience. Gifts to the annual fund go toward various programs within the medical center and can be designated at the discretion of the donor. So far, 2015 has seen over $124,600 raised by 278 donors, and distributed to many different programs.

Contributions are used to purchase new medical equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; underwrite training for clinical staff; purchase bike helmets for all area third-graders; support the healthcare needs of the uninsured or underinsured; fund health services like Grinnell Regional Hospice, Grinnell Regional Home Care, Grinnell Regional Public Health, and Grinnell Regional Mental Health; offset the costs of programs like the Babies Room, the Loan Closet, and the Seniors Education Program. You can designate your gift to a specific service, department, or program at GRMC, or your donation can also be “unrestricted,” meaning it will be used for the greatest need at the time.

Lives have been dramatically impacted in a positive way because of the programs listed above. For instance, for the past 20 years GRMC has provided all area third-graders with a new fitted helmet to keep them safe. The program serves 12 schools and about 550 children. Each year, members of the GRMC staff and volunteers go to schools in six different counties to provide bike/wheel safety education and to provide each third-grader with a helmet.

The program was the brainchild of Phillip Brooks, MD, a GRMC retired radiologist, who cared for a child with a severe head injury that a helmet would have prevented. After the program started, a young girl from a town in the GRMC service area was wearing her helmet while riding a bike in front of her home.  A car came speeding over a hill. The car swerved to miss her, but her bike got caught by the left passenger mirror and she was dragged. She suffered from scrapes, abrasions, and a mild concussion. The hit that created a 3 ½ inch crack in her helmet would likely have caused brain damage if she had not been wearing the helmet. That young girl was wearing a helmet from GRMC. The girl’s mother said, “GRMC’s bike safety program is great. I know for a fact that it is making a difference. If it saved even one child from permanent damage, it’s paid itself off.”

Stories like the one above are not uncommon among the various programs at GRMC. Gifts to the annual fund allow the medical center to continue to raise the bar in quality and safety. You still have time to give a gift this year! To donate to GRMC, please go to http://www.grmc.us/donate or contact Jan Veach at 641-236-2946 or Heidi Ramaeker Pearson at 641-236-2961.

Thank you for supporting GRMC—your gift makes a difference!