36 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345
making connections ~ improving lives Worksite Wellness Newsletter of HCCA
Volume 2 Issue 5 Adult and Worksite Wellness |
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Board of Directors
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Mary Frances Bartlett
Rebecca West Dick, Chair
Cindy T. Flye
Rob Gordon
Chuck Hays, Treasurer
Bill McKenna
William McPeck, Vice Chair
Kathi Wall
Jim Wood, Secretary
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Our Towns |
- Augusta
- Chelsea
- Farmingdale
- Fayette
- Gardiner
- Hallowell
- Litchfield
- Manchester
- Monmouth
- Mount Vernon
- Pittston
- Randolph
- Readfield
- Richmond
- Vienna
- Wayne
- West Gardiner
- Windsor
- Winthrop
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Welcome to HCCA's Worksite Wellness Newsletter
HCCA publishes an e-newsletter on Worksite Wellness and related topics once a month. The newsletter contains general wellness and community information as well as information specific to worksite wellness program development. You are invited to submit articles or ideas to awagner@mcd.org
Visit the HCCA Worksite Wellness webpages at www.healthycommunitiesme.org/worksitewellness.html
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| Save the Date |
Worksite Wellness Meetings
You are invited to attend these free meetings.
April 1, 2009
Health Risk Assessments and Biometrics
Panelists will represent area organizations that offer health risk assessments and biometric screenings. We will learn what they are, how they work and why they are important parts of our worksite wellness programs.
June 3, 2009
Coaching 101
Panelists will represent a variety of coaching modalities-health, life and corporate. Coaching is a great way to foster change, build confidence and resiliency.
For more information or to RSVP call Amy at 588-5019 | |
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| February Health Observances |
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 Heart Health Month
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.
According to the American Heart Association, about 700,000 Americans have an initial heart attack and another 500,000 have a recurrent heart attack each year. According to a CDC report, almost half of the cardiac deaths in 1999 occurred before emergency services and hospital treatment could be administered. It is important to recognize the signs of a heart attack and to act immediately by calling 9-1-1. A person's chances of surviving a heart attack are increased if emergency treatment is given to the victim as soon as possible.
The major symptoms of a heart attack are:
* Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
* Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder
* Shortness of breath
New! Wisdom Gained from the Heart
This 11 minute video touchingly highlights Maine Women sharing their personal stories of surviving and living with cardiovascular disease. The video also features discussions by experts about CVD.
- Include Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack and when to call 911 in your emergency or all hazards plan
- Include Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack and when to call 911 in employee orientation program
- Include Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack and when to call 911 in annual employee education programs
- Provide CPR/AED/First Aid training to employees
National Wear Red Day -February 6
Wear red - a dress, shirt, tie or Red Dress pin - in support of raising awareness of and
fighting cardiovascular disease!
Other February Health Observances of Interest
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
Wise Health Consumer Month
Random Acts of Kindness Week - 9-15
When kindness is expressed, healthy relationships are created, community
connections are nourished and people are inspired to pass kindness on. To learn
March Health Observances
National Colorectal Cancer Month
National Nutrition Month
National Poison Prevention Month
Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month
National Sleep Awareness Week - 2-6
American Diabetes Alert Day - 25
Kick Butts Day - 31 |
| Wellness Team Corner |
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Strategic Plans
"If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable." Seneca
I recently read a short article by Marilyn Lustgarden of The Star Makers Group, an executive coach from mid coast Maine that was a great reminder of the importance of developing strategic plans. In her article she stated "Without a strategy, every spending decision will be thought of as an expense. With a strategy, every expenditure will be considered an investment. And, purposeful investment in an express ticket to prosperity."
I am pleased to add this portion of the newsletter to discuss a best practice for worksite wellness. The importance of strategic planning is especially true in light of the current economic news. As wellness teams we are looked to as the change agents within our organizations, maybe we need to change our perspective as well and think more like economists. A number of research studies and literature reviews have calculated the benefit/cost ratio for employee wellness programs, with health cost savings averaging $3.48 and rates of absenteeism savings averaging $5.82 per dollar invested (worksitewellnessinfo.com). Organizational approaches to worksite wellness like the Health and Productivity Model pay huge dividends that prove building programs strategically is the way to go.
Written work plans that include a vision or mission statement, goals, objectives/ strategies, timelines, budgets, roles and responsibilities, evaluation plans and communication/marketing plans are vital in measuring value (return on investment-ROI) and maintaining favorable relationships with senior staff. All of our activities should be considered as purposeful investments in the health of the organization and the employees. There is a saying, "what gets measured, gets done." Goals that are measureable can be effective motivators for any organization and should address policies, environments as well as activities to move the organizational culture towards improved health behaviors.
Vision or Mission Statements
* one or two sentences that describe what the program is to accomplish
* help give direction
Goals, Objectives and Strategies
* one of the most important sections of a results-oriented worksite
wellness program * should be based on documented needs
* remember SMART-specific, measureable, achievable, relevant and
time sensitive. * should be clear and concise, outcomes are difficult to demonstrate
when goals and objectives are not clear
Timelines * give guidelines for when tasks need to be completed
* as a suggestion, use the health observance calendar to help link to
community, media and health insurance offerings
Budgets
* important part of the planning process and the evaluation process
* detailed list of expenditures by strategy or program
Roles and Responsibilities
* who is responsible for each task
* persons or organizations to contact outside of worksite to accomplish
tasks Evaluation Plan * very important part of a results oriented worksite wellness program
* helps the organization to determine if they got what they paid for and should
be tied back directly to the goals and objectives
* strategies can include tracking the number of participants, number of
materials disseminated, number of policies changes, number of
supportive environments created, number of risk factors reduced,
cost/benefit or return on investment calculations, satisfaction
surveys,etc. * evaluation measures success
Communication/marketing plan
* how will the wellness team communicate the program to the
employees and senior management * specific messages and communication methods (oral, written or
electronic) should be listed
Healthy Maine Works! is a computer software program that helps worksites develop comprehensive worksite wellness workplans and is a free tool offered by local Healthy Maine Partnerships. To learn more contract Amy at 588-5019 To learn more about strategic plans or written workplans visit: www.welcoa.com, |
| Have You Registered Yet? |
| Move and Improve 2009
The Move and Improve program of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems is a community based program designed to encourage and empower individuals to engage in a healthier lifestyle through physical activity. The 2009 program is right around the corner. Check out the website to learn about the program at www.moveandimprove.org
March into May 2009
March into May is a FREE, 10 week, community based motivational program, designed to help participants "GET MORE OUT OF LIFE" by improving their health through increased physical activity. To learn more or to register visit www.marchintomay.org |
| Angel Food Ministries |
 Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States.
Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60.
Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store.
Also offered are specialty boxes such as convenience (10 prepared meals), steaks, chicken, pork, frozen sides, fruit and vegetable. Many participants in this bonus program appreciate the expanded choices. Additionally, there is no limit to the number of units or bonus foods an individual can receive, and there are no applications to complete or qualifications to which participants must adhere. Angel Food Ministries also participates in the U.S. Food Stamp program, using the Off-Line Food Stamp Voucher system. Orders are placed with a local agency in the middle of each month and are to be picked up at the end of the month.
To learn more contact Kennebec Community Church at 207-623-0911. Other participating organizations include:
East Winthrop Church Elim Christian Fellowship
Faith Christian Church Kennebec Community Church
New Life Christian Fellowship Hope Baptist |
| Telephonic Support |
Diabetes-Telephonic Diabetes Education & Support Program
A 12 month program for information & support about your diabetes. This program is open to employees of Medical Care Development, the State of Maine and Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust employees, early retirees, and adult family members enrolled in the Point of Service employee health care plan aged 18-65 and not on Medicare, who have Type 1 or 2 diabetes or who have Pre-diabetes are eligible. Additional benefits include waiver of pharmacy co-payments for diabetic supplies and medications during program participation. For more information or to apply contact: Phonse Allen Laney, Project Coordinator at 207-622-7566 ext. 252, or email aralaney@mcd.org
Move More Telephone Support Program
MaineGeneral Medical Center's Prevention Center has received grant funds to provide Telephone Support to individuals in both Kennebec and Somerset County, to assist them in increasing their physical activity levels. With this 2 year grant, health educators will work with individuals to increase motivation and confidence, develop a plan to address barriers, set specific and realistic goals and assist them as they work towards lifelong healthy habits. Participants receive a Move More packet including a pedometer, physical activity guide, nutrition guide, maps of outdoor walking trails, and bookmarks of indoor walking spaces. Also, individuals can receive weekly Move More e-mails, incentive prizes, and will be encouraged to visit the Move More website. (www.movemore.org)
"The Move More Telephone Support Program" has certain eligibility requirements that were written into the grant proposal:
- Cleared for physical activity by health care provider
- Exercising some, ready to increase physical activity
- Living in rural community
This is a great program for those who may not have the support of a Mover. To learn more about this program, please call Jim Fortunato at 861-5275. | |
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Thank you for your commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community. Please contact us if we can be of assistance in supporting your southern Kennebec communities' quality of life.
Sincerely,
Joanne Joy, Director
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Amy Wagner, Adult and Worksite Wellness Initiatives Program Manager
Nationally Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
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