Like all employers, hospitals and health care providers need to address the bottom-line impact of rising employee healthcare and insurance costs. However, hospitals are unique because of the dual role they play as employers and health care providers. By investing in employee wellness, hospitals can create a new ‘culture of wellness,’ reinforcing their role as the leading health care resource in their community.

Caring for the Caregivers

Hospitals and health care providers present both a unique challenge and a distinct opportunity for wellness at work. The health and wellness of its employees and staff is critical if a health care provider is to fulfill its mission to care for its patients. All too often the personal health of the caregivers takes a backseat to the everyday priorities and responsibilities of caring for others. Yet, when these caregivers are able to respond to a realistic challenge, to begin to care for themselves, they demonstrate that wellness is indeed achievable. And, they help create a new Culture of Wellness within their organization and the community. When this occurs, everyone benefits.

By implementing a well conceived and open-ended employee weight loss and wellness initiative, your organization is in a unique position to:
	Reduce employee health care costs and absenteeism
	Improve employee morale, productivity and retention
	Strengthen employee recruitment and retention

Real People Leading Real Lives

“As an Administrative Assistant at Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital, I work alongside my father who is a Pharmacy Tech / Supervisor. I see patients daily with illnesses and disease, and I can’t help but be concerned for his future health and well-being—as well as for my own. Together we were part of the LoneStart Program here at Otto Kaiser. During the 63-day Incentive Challenge, he lost 17 pounds, 16.5 inches and 2.4 BMI points—and counting. I think too often we don’t realize that our kids follow our example (good and bad) with respect to nutritional choices and physical activity. We’re both still incorporating LoneStart principles into our daily routines and I’m proud to say that together, my dad and I are paving the way for our family’s future generations, by the positive steps we are taking today.” – Christina Benavides
(Read more about Christina and her dad under Downloadable Articles, “Otto Kaiser Success.”)

With the LoneStart Team Esteem 63-day Challenge, employees have a built-in support system through their fellow workers. They take the program home and involve their families, spouses and children. As more individuals get involved, it spreads to the community. And with those individuals, it all comes back to how we must each take the responsibility for ourselves to address those issues we can do something about, issues that will ultimately affect our long-term health and wellness.

Taking it a Step Further

Health care providers are in a unique position to realize multiple benefits from the implementation of a proactive wellness initiative:
	Reinforce your role as the leading wellness resource in your community.
	Establish a culture of wellness that attracts economic development.
	Show that you have an interest in promoting a healthy environment for ongoing new business development.

Healthcare providers can position themselves as the logical partner in this effort. They are uniquely suited to understand and address the expensive to treat and preventable chronic conditions which contribute to higher employee health care costs.

To receive a specific proposal and to find out how easy it can be to create a new and sustainable Culture of Wellness within your organization please contact LoneStart Wellness.