Wellness Program - Choices Matter.

The menu approach offers employees a range of options to support lifestyle changes. It authorizes individuals  to pick the type of help that suits their schedules and preferences.

The four basic kinds of programs include -

• Courses

• Minigroups

• Guided self help

• Individual counseling

Classes

Courses (8 or more) may be an effective means of providing education and social support for behavior change. the length of a class can vary depending on topic requirements. It is not sufficient to offer only classes at a worksite.

A lot of workers are under time constraints with after work commitments and although they may be interested they simply can’t participate because of their schedules.

Staff Members could  be very eager to start a program but because of lack of participants to meet class quotas, the program is canceled.

A lot of national organizations like the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Weight Watchers, etc. offer classes; you should’ve little trouble in identifying a provider for class type programs.

You may want to contact your local hospital, health department, or YMCA for possible choices. for picking  a vendor to provide a program you may want to review the section on program structure.

Minigroups

When there isn’t enough interest to develop a class, those who are interested in a given health topic could be formed into a minigroup (2 to 7).

The minigroup can cover the same content as a class but do so in a less formal manner. Presentation of information and discussion is the major format of the minigroup.

Guided Self-Help

Most workers do not want formal help in making health changes; they prefer to do it on their own. In guided self-help, the wellness counselors provide support, materials, and encouragement.

Meeting times may be arranged and contact may be made either in individuals, by phone, or computer. Materials may be made available at the worksite, or mailed to the individual. Some worksites now make information available via intranets or the Internet.

Individual Counseling

One of the most successful ways to help individuals change and improve their health status is counseling (or coaching) on a one-on-one basis.

In published studies, wellness programs which incorporated individual counseling as part of the program process achieved significantly higher participation rates and achieved greater risk reduction/risk elimination than standard group programs. Studies have demonstrated that individual counseling is both cost effective and cost beneficial.

A wellness counselor should be trained in screening techniques, for in certain situations, they could be required to both screen individuals and counsel them. They should know how to do the following -  

• Review staff member health risks

• Contact staff members who have health risks.

• Counsel employees on a one-on-one basis, assisting them set goals, solve problems, and get specialist help when they need it.

• Be sure to help employees follow their treatment recommendations and make lifestyle and health behavior changes.

• Recruit employees into health betterment programs, such as weight loss and smoking cessation.

• Be certain to work with employees on a one-on-one basis using guided self-help.

• Conduct classes and minigroups when necessary.

• Make certain to work with wellness committee members to plan and conduct worksite-wide wellness activities.

Wellness counselors are health generalists; they must have basic knowledge about a wide range of health topics and health risks.

Counselors should be able to consult with staff members about their health problems and the treatments prescribed by their physicians.

They should’ve a good overview of nutrition, exercise physiology, pathophysiology of illness, pharmacology, psychology, and behavior change skills.