Wellness Program – Choices Matter.

The menu approach offers workers a range of choices to support lifestyle changes. It permits people  to select the kind of help that suits their schedules and preferences.

The four basic kinds of programs include –

• Classes

• 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.

Many workers are under time constraints with after work commitments and although they might be interested they simply cannot participate because of their schedules.

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

Many national organizations like 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 might want to contact your local hospital, health department, or YMCA for possible choices. for selecting  a vendor to provide a program you might 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 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 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 individuals, 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 ought to be trained in screening techniques, for in certain situations, they may be required to both screen individuals and counsel them. They ought to know how to do the following –  

• Review worker health risks

• Contact staff members who have health risks.

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

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

• Recruit workers into health betterment programs, such as weight loss and use of tobacco cessation.

• Make sure to work with employees on a one-on-one basis using guided self-help.

• Conduct courses and minigroups when necessary.

• Be sure 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 wide range of health topics and health risks.

Counselors must be able to speak with staff members about their medical problems and the treatments prescribed by their doctors.

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