In medicine, it is always better to prevent a problem than to treat a problem once it’s established. “The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining,” as John F. Kennedy once said.
The same concept is true with respect to health and disability. When not addressed in a timely manner, underlying health conditions can develop into disabilities that leave people unable to work. Sometimes the period of disability is only for a few months, while other times it lasts for a more prolonged period. And, unfortunately, disability can sometimes be permanent.
Whatever the length of disability, this situation is obviously very costly to employers, as well as having a serious impact on the health and happiness of the individual. Being able to work has all sorts of positive effects: it creates a social network, a feeling of accomplishment and purpose, and generally keeps people active. According to some studies, employees on permanent disability due to workplace injury have increased overall mortality compared to those who work.
Just as with fixing the roof while the sun is still shining, the key to safeguarding health and happiness of everyone—and maintaining your own profitability—is to identify an emerging disability well ahead of the moment that the individual needs to take time off for their symptoms. This is the pivotal time to intervene. Organizations should have the ability to engage easily with their people in these early stages to help individuals understand their unique situations and then guide them to convenient, accessible support in order to prevent their symptoms from developing into a disability claim.
This early intervention approach is exactly what our Health Coaching and Support program was designed for.
How Health Coaching & Support can help your population
Our Health Coaching & Support (Stay Healthy at Work™) program connects eligible individuals with a registered nurse to help them target and address health concerns and common conditions before they lead to extended absences and disability claims.
All individuals with access to our platform can fill out a self-assessment questionnaire, which will generate a personalized report about their health risks. Eligible individuals then have the opportunity to be connected to personalized, one-on-one coaching support via telephone and email, with further access to a multidisciplinary team of experts depending on their needs.
With the program’s tailored and supportive approach, individuals can develop health improvement strategies while following action plans that are personalized to their needs. They will also be able to better understand their health issues and the treatment options and resources that are at their disposal.
With the Health Coaching & Support program, your population can keep on top of their health risks before they lead to disability.
For more health insight, visit Novus Health.
