Wellness Program – Choices Matter.

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

The four basic types of programs include –

• Courses

• Minigroups

• Guided self help

• Individual counseling

Classes

Courses (8 or more) could 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 employees are under time constraints with after work commitments and although they could be interested they simply can’t participate because of their schedules.

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

Many national organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Weight Watchers, etc. offer classes; you should have little trouble in identifying a provider for class kind programs.

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

Minigroups

When there is not enough interest to create a class, those who are interested in a given health topic can 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 employees 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 can be arranged and contact can be made either in person, by phone, or computer. Materials can 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 person 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 must be trained in screening techniques, for in certain situations, they could be required to both screen individuals and counsel them. They ought to know how to do the following –  

• Review employee health risks

• Contact employees who have health risks.

• Counsel workers on a one-on-one basis, helping them set objectives, solve problems, and get professional help when they need it.

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

• Recruit staff members into health betterment programs, like weight loss and tobacco use cessation.

• Be sure to work with staff members on a one-on-one basis using guided self-help.

• Conduct courses 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’ve basic knowledge about a broad range of health topics and health risks.

Counselors ought to be able to speak with employees about their medical problems and the treatments prescribed by their doctors.

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