HealthMatters To Help People Be Healthy
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January 2013
Healthy Choices Save Lives At The Center for Health Improvement
HaysMed
HealthMatters 4 Wellness Classes Have Social Benefits
10 Fitness Starts Early With Kids’ Programs
7 A Healthy Choice Makes A Difference For Faithful Member
We’re here to help Stephanie Schaffer, Center for Health Improvement
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s the new year begins and health care continues to evolve across the country, physicians are recognizing now more than ever the benefits for their patients to invest in preventive care and wellness. Medical fitness facilities represent the key element that effectively integrates health promotion, preventative medicine and fitness into wellness programs. The Center for Health Improvement is the only certified medical fitness facility in the state of Kansas and is dedicated to medically sound health promotion and prevention. The staff at the Center believes in our mission To Help People Get Well Sooner and
Group Fitness The ‘Perfect Workout’
Stay Well Longer, proactively making Hays the healthiest rural community in America. Our medical fitness center integrates traditional medical treatment with fitness, disease prevention and health education allowing each individual to achieve lifelong wellness. We believe in an orchestration of care that covers all aspects of health and wellness. I hope you will value the difference a medical fitness facility can make. A person’s life can improve by making the smallest lifestyle changes as you will see by the amazing stories inside these pages. I hope they inspire you. Best of health in the new year.
“We’re just kind of like a big family.” Elizabeth Hanshew, CHI member
The Social Class
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aced with hip surgery, Hays resident Elizabeth Hanshew signed up for a water aerobics class at the Center for Health Improve-
ment. She was just looking for a way to strengthen her muscles and alleviate arthritis pain. But she got much more than that. The women in her class have formed a tight-knit social circle. They spend time together outside of class, share recipes and support each other when times are tough. “We’re just kind of like a big family,” Page 4
Hanshew said. The class meets five afternoons each week. Many of the women, ages 60 to 80, are retired. Some have lost their husbands. For these women, the weekly workouts are much more than a day at the gym. They are a much-needed opportunity for them to leave the house and spend time in the company of friends. “It’s not just the arthritis. We support each other in all areas,” class member Bev Bearley said. “We share recipes and books. We share everything.” In the water, the women work hard Benefits
to complete the exercises demonstrated by their instructor, Kelly Flaska. They also talk. They talk in the locker room, in the pool and in the hot tub after class. They talk about politics, television shows and family life. “You know women,” class member Ernestine Thorne said. “We have to visit. There’s always a lot to say.” When life becomes difficult, the opportunity to share with others is particularly important. “I lost my husband five months ago,” said class member Darlene Sander. “They’ve been my support.” Health Matters
Kelly Flaska, aquatic instructor at the Center for Health Improvement, second from left, works with arthritis patients during a pool session at CHI.
The women also are there for each other outside of class. When Thorne moved to a smaller home, she invited everyone over for a gathering and told her friends to choose a gift from among her possessions. “I will always think of you when I see that fruit bowl,” Sander said. The friendships formed also keep the women motivated to stay active and to keep coming to class. “We ask about each other,” class member Mary Marefat said. “Bev always brings a nice card for all occasions that have happened to anybody. Everybody signs them ... it’s nice to have the card from your class.” Flaska also has developed special relationships with her clients. Many of the women have been in the class long enough to be with Flaska during her two pregnancies and to watch her children grow. Continued Health Matters
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Cindy Zerfas, left, and Debbie McLaren visit over coffee after their workout. Benefits
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Shirley Scoby, right, and Patty Dreiling share a moment over coffee.
Kelly Flaska, aquatic instructor at the Center for Health Improvement, second from left, works with arthritis patients during a pool session.
“We are really getting two benefits out of this. ... It’s something we look forward to.” Patty Dreiling, Victoria
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A group gathers for coffee following a workout.
“I’ve learned a lot about life by teaching the class,” Flaska said. “I feel like I have gained 15 grandmas.” ••• There’s just one rule for a group of friends who meet every weekday morning at 5 a.m. to exercise together — what is said in the locker room, stays in the locker room. It’s a social group that began forming when CHI first opened its doors. A few women working out at the same time got to know each other, and more new friends have been added through the years. “The locker room is what kind of got us all to know each other, and then we started taking classes together,” said Patty Dreiling, Victoria. “We’ve become very close friends.” The group has made it a tradition to end the workout early on Fridays and gather for a coffee break in the CHI lobby. Many of the women then head off for work at 8 a.m. The group, which consists of women ages 30 to 70, often spends time together outside of the gym, going on weekend shopping trips or long lunch breaks. They also have supported each other through difficult circumstances, such as the death of spouses and cancer diagnoses. “Everybody has been wonderful,” said Hays resident Shirley Scoby. “I can vouch for that. Especially when I lost my husband.” “We are really getting two benefits out of this,” Dreiling said. “We’re getting the exercise, and we’re getting the social benefit. It’s something we look forward to.” Those benefits became clear to Cindy Zerfas, Ellis, when she underwent back surgery. Staff at CHI helped her strengthen the necessary muscles before the procedure, which made for a quicker recovery, she said. “I was depressed because I couldn’t come down here for like a month,” Zerfas said. “They kept in touch with me, sent me emails, phone calls when I got home. ... It’s like it’s a second family here.”
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Benefits
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Exercise a ‘no-brainer’ Nichols, left, visits with Marilyn Ginther, Hays, as they take a break from a workout.
Pat Nichols, Alton, participates in her morning workout at the Center For Health Improvement.
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hen Pat Nichols first visited the Center for Health Improvement five years ago for a weight loss challenge, she had no idea what was in store for her. Since then, she has been working out almost every day as a faithful member, avoiding knee surgery, forming lasting friendships and battling a cancer diagnosis. “This facility, I can’t say enough about it,” she said. “Yes, they have saved my life.” When she first signed up for Pound Plunge five years ago, her doctor had given her an ultimatum. “They said, ‘You can either lose weight or you can have a knee replacement,’ “ she said. “Well, that’s a no-brainer.” She has dropped 50 pounds and built muscle mass since then and said her knee is much better. Doctors aren’t even talking about surgery anymore, she said. Another challenge came in February when Nichols was diagnosed with latestage pancreatic cancer. The cancer started with a tumor marker of 196. That number has dropped to 12, Nichols said in late October. Continued
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Pat Nichols, Alton, left, and Marilyn Ginther, Hays, center, get instruction from Carmen Winter as they learn strength training skills at the Center For Health Improvement.
Nichols, who lives in Alton, has kept a positive attitude through the ordeal. After losing her hair to chemotherapy, she began collecting an assortment of funky, bright-colored hats. “Smiles are contagious,” she said. “The hats have been really fun.” Nichols said the support of friends — many of whom she has made at CHI — has helped her through the journey. She now is taking advantage of programs offered at CHI for cancer patients. She said being in good physical shape at the onset of cancer also improved her prognosis. “To be quite truthful with you, I really don’t know where I’d have been if it wouldn’t have been for this facility.”
The Center When CHI opened its doors 10 years ago, patients like Nichols were at the heart of the hospital’s mission. From day one, the center was intended to be much more than another gym, said JoDee Altman, group fitness and aquatic manager. “Dr. (John) Jeter built this with the Page 8
The Center For Health Improvement is open long hours to accommodate its members.
vision of it being not a fitness facility, but a place where people could come to get well,” she said. “We have all different walks of life that use this facility.” With the vision in mind, CHI became certified as a Medical Fitness Association center in the summer of 2011. Medical In
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fitness facilities are medically supervised health and fitness centers that focus on prevention and treatment of lifestylerelated disease. CHI is the only facility in Kansas to have the distinction, and there are only 21 in the United States, 29 worldwide. Health Matters
Integration is a key word at the Hays facility. Rather than a stand-alone commercial gym, the facility is viewed as a health care business and, in many ways, a department of Hays Medical Center, said Fitness Director Stephanie Schaffer. “We work really well with the physicians, and they’re incorporating more preventive wellness into their practices and clinics,” Schaffer said. “If they can Did you know? work with their patients Approximately 80 perfirst and foremost to get cent of all disease, illness physically active or get and injury is preventable some more education and the direct result of on their disease, that’s choices people make. important.” Cardiac and physical rehabilitation services are offered at CHI, as well as a Healing in Motion program for cancer patients and a new total rehabilitation program for patients facing orthopedic surgery. Through a new Exercise is Medicine program, doctors are giving qualifying patients “prescriptions” for free fitness consults. Another aspect that sets CHI apart is the high expectations placed on staff members. All teaching staff, from personal trainers to group fitness instructors, must have certifications from applicable national organizations. They also are trained to perform CPR and use defibrillators in case of an emergency. Because many members come to CHI with medical conditions, staff members first communicate with their physicians and note any limitations. It’s comforting for those members to know staff is prepared to handle a medical emergency, and doctors are only steps away, Altman said. Another requirement of being an MFA facility is a focus on medical outcomes. Members’ progress is monitored through regular health assessments. CHI has more than 2,000 members, with an average age of 45. Because the members come from different walks of life, the atmosphere of the facility is welcoming, Schaffer said. “I think a lot of people get intimidated to walk through the door of any fitness facility for the first time,” she said. “But there’s all facets of life here. There’s young and old, conditioned and deconditioned.” CHI also reaches beyond its membership pool in efforts to improve the health of the overall community. Annual programs such as Kick Start are available free of charge and strive to educate and encourage residents to change their lives. Ultimately, making that change happen is what CHI is all about. “Members make little milestones, for instance, lowering their blood pressure to the point of no longer having to take their medication “ said Tamra Leiker, business office coordinator. “That is really huge. Exercise is a key to people’s health, and we see it every single day.”
Member Profile Gary and Arlene Stramel
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Gary Stramel has been a member of CHI since it opened. After undergoing bypass surgery approximately 12 years ago, he knew exercise was a heart-healthy choice. He’s been working out for at least an hour each day for the past 10 years, and his hard work has paid off. A routine heart catheterization was done last year to check on his condition. The results, he said, were much better than expected. “They said (the bypass) usually lasts about 12 years, and mine was getting close to 12 years,” Stramel said. “And they did a heart cath and said everything was perfectly fine.” Stramel has kept coming to CHI because he likes the staff, he said. His wife, Arlene, became a member eight years ago “to keep up with him,” she said with a laugh. The Hays couple visits the gym almost every day to use the facility’s equipment. Maintaining their membership has motivated them to stay fit, Arlene Stramel said. “A lot of people say ‘I can exercise at home; I’m not going to pay that kind of money to come up here,’ ” she said. “You know, you come up here and there’s other people you visit with. Your time passes faster. Also, if you put money down to join, it’s an incentive to come up here.”
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Jonna Dinkel, center, works with Trevor Flora, left, as he helps Easton Wells stretch during X-Treme Zone, a kids after-school program at HaysMed’s Center for Health Improvement.
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lifelong Wellness “One thing we try to stress is that we want these children to understand that exercise begins at a young age.” Stephanie Schaffer, CHI Page 10
uring the past decade, the Center for Health Improvement has expanded its mission to include the community’s youngest residents. From swimming lessons to afterschool programs, there are opportunities for toddlers and high schoolers to find a healthy activity they enjoy. Indoor Red Cross group swimming lessons are available for children beginning at 6 months of age. Private and semi-private lessons also are available for children and adults of all ages. “Water is something that can be enjoyed from the time you’re 6 months old to the time you’re 100 years old, getting the kids to learn to swim is so important so they can be Youth
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comfortable in the water,” said Kelly Flaska, aquatic and fitness supervisor. “It’s an environment a lot of people get intimidated by, and if they never learn to swim, they might never get in the water.” It is an advantage for the lessons to be taught indoors, Flaska said, noting children can continue to practice during cold weather months. Members also can bring their children to CHI during weekend Family Swim times. “They can keep progressing instead of regressing and having to learn it all over again,” she said. Swimming lessons are available year-round, but schedules vary. To view a complete schedule, visit www. thecenter.haysmed.com/swimminglessons. Health Matters
Exercise
helps kids
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• Maintain a healthy body weight. • Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones and joints. • Develop interpersonal skills. • Improve the quantity and quality of sleep. • Enhance academic performance and self-esteem. • Improve motor coordination.
Dinkel, right, prepares to help kids work out during X-Treme Zone. Kids pictured, from left, are Eric Wells, Trevor Flora, Sam Tesluk, Easton Wells, Kaden Dinkel, Xavier Minear, Nolan Klaus, Grant Tesluk, Trinity Gnad and Jada Thomas.
Jonna Dinkel, youth programs ••• Children ages 6 to 12 can participate in X-Treme Zone, an after-school program that focuses on healthy habits. Those attending school in Hays USD 489 can be bused by the district to CHI immediately after school. Children whose parents are not members of CHI also can participate. The program consists of various physical activities, healthy snacks and lessons about fitness, health and nutrition. “One thing we try to stress is that we want these children to understand that exercise begins at a young age,” Fitness Director Stephanie Schaffer said. Youth Program Coordinator Jonna Dinkel strives to incorporate many types of activities, ranging from swimming to football to dancing. The goal is for each child to find an activity they enjoy and at which they can excel, she said. “They can find at least one thing that they really are good at and enjoy to Health Matters
Xavier Minear, center, gets some exercise during X-Treme Zone. Also pictured are Grant Tesluk, left, Kaden Dinkel, second from left, Nolan Klaus, second from right, and Jada Thomas, right.
do, and that’s important for their selfesteem,” Dinkel said. It’s also hoped the physical activity at the end of the day benefits the children behaviorally by giving them an opportunity to “blow off steam,” she said. A similar program, Adventure Zone, is available during the months of June and July to help keep children active during summer vacation. The program has proven popular, with 55 children signing up last summer. The program is intended for children ages 5 to 12, and runs from 8 to 11:30 a.m. each weekday. “They get very sedentary in the summer,” Dinkel said. “It’s a wonderful program. The kids really need it.” ••• The Center also is one of few fitness facilities to offer its members on-site child care services. The Play Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 Youth
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a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, and provides care to children from 6 weeks old to 12 years. The Play Center gives children time to play but also offers scheduled snacks and activities. The facility is staffed by individuals who have experience caring for children and by education students at Fort Hays State University. CHI staff encourage members to bring their children with them when they come to exercise. “It’s super important when parents bring their children here with them,” said JoDee Altman, group fitness and aquatic manager. “They see their parents are staying active, so their parents are acting as role models for them. Hopefully, this is just going to be something that’s a normal thing you do in your day, like eating and sleeping. You are active.”
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“They can find at least one thing that they really are good at and enjoy to do, and that’s important for their self-esteem.”
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JoDee Altman, group fitness and aquatic manager at the Center for Health Improvement, left, conducts a group workout as Laura Staab, Hays, follows the instruction.
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f the Center for Health Improvement’s group fitness program had an official motto, it would be “there’s something for everyone.” From high-intensity workouts to post-rehabilitation, CHI’s team of dedicated and passionate instructors work to provide many fitness options. “It’s a perfect workout,” said JoDee Altman, group fitness and aquatic manager. “We offer many different formats including Zumba, spinning, strength, kickboxing, yoga, pilates, water and many more.”
A DAY IN THE LIFE On a typical day at CHI, the morning begins with a tranquil, yet challenging, group yoga class. The lights are dim and Page 12
“The different classes you can take keep me motivated to stay active and fit.” Traci Pfannenstiel, CHI member
soothing music plays in the background. In the front row of the class is Traci Pfannenstiel, who joined CHI seven years ago and still participates in several group fitness classes. She enjoys them so much she decided to become a certified instructor and now leads several classes of her own. “The different classes you can take keep me motivated to stay active and fit,” she said. In
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A few hours after yoga, Pfannenstiel is at the front of the classroom, leading a group through a challenging spinning — group cycling — workout. Classic rock ’n’ roll music plays through the speakers as Pfannenstiel gives instructions. As the interval workout becomes more intense, many class members, dripping sweat, reach for water bottles.
VALUABLE RESOURCES Down the hall, yet another group fitness class gives members the opportunity for one-on-one instruction as they recover from injuries. The lower extremity and back health class teaches clients how to minimize pain and regain strength. Health Matters
A large group works out together during a group fitness class in the gymnasium at the Center for Health Improvement.
A FULL SCHEDULE On an average day, members have approximately 13 group fitness classes to choose from. Spinning, strength training, high intensity, swimming and yoga workouts are only some of the options. “If it’s a current fitness trend, we offer it here,” Altman said. “We have classes for all Health Matters
Mason Rohleder, far right, fitness instructor at the Center for Health Improvement, conducts a high intensity interval training class.
ages and abilities.” Most weekdays, classes begin at 5 a.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m. Several classes also are offered on Saturdays. CHI has a group of approximately 25 certified instructors working to offer clients a wide array of exercise experiences. CHI also offers “express” classes for members who are short on time. The short and effective workouts take 30 minutes and are offered during the lunch hour and throughout the day. Members can be as young as 13, and In Focus
younger clients have no problem finding group classes that are right for them. Classes such as Zumba, a fun workout regimen combining aerobics and Latino dances, are popular with younger clients. Other classes are geared toward older members. CHI offers specific classes for relieving arthritis pain and post-surgery rehabilitation. The course offerings and schedules change regularly. To view a complete schedule of group classes, visit www. thecenter.haysmed.com.
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Mary Jane Brenzikofer, Hays, has been taking the class for more than six months to continue rehabilitation. She broke her arm two years ago, and the class has helped her improve mobility, she said. “They’re great,” she said of CHI instructors. “The qualified instructors are a valuable resource and another significant benefit group classes offer”, Altman said. If someone needs to work around an injury or needs assistance, the instructors are able to help. “You’ve got an expert leading you through a workout. Members don’t have to think about their workout; a complete and appropriate workout is planned by the instructor every time they attend a class,” she said. “It’s challenging for every fitness level.”
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Centerof attention The Center for Health Improvement is much more than a gym. Here’s a look at other available services:
Personal training The Center for Health Improvement has several personal trainers who use science-based knowledge to help clients achieve their fitness goals. Personal training can benefit clients in all walks of life, said Personal Trainer Billy Kinberger. “Some people struggle with motivation, some people struggle with creativity or even the knowledge of knowing how to exercise or work out,” he said. “From there, there are a bunch of different areas you can go into.” CHI offers performance training and sport-specific training for athletes. There’s also training with an emphasis on weight loss, power training and endurance training. Staff works with children through a youth training program, and also helps bariatric and post-rehabilitation patients. Personal training sessions offer oneon-one attention, but sessions also are available for small groups. “If you have a group you like to work out with, it can be kind of entertaining,” Kinberger said. “But some people do prefer the one-on-one because you get a lot more individual attention.” Clients are taught a variety of warmups and exercises using gym equipment. Trainers also offer suggestions for athome workouts. For Alaina Cunningham, personal training was what she needed to achieve her fitness goals after having a baby. “It helps you get back in gear,” she said. “I’ve had time off and I’m sluggish, looking for a way to get back in shape. And I think it speeds things along for you.” Kinberger is quick to say personal training isn’t all about “killing you.” The sessions are tailored to each client’s individual needs and pace. Some clients ask to be pushed hard, while others are just becoming comfortable in a gym, he said. Health Matters
Billy Kinberger, a personal trainer, right, supervises a training session for Randy Clinkscales at HaysMed’s Center for Health Improvement.
“It depends on where they’re at, where they want to go,” he said. “It depends on the skill level and comfort level.” The trainers will modify the exercises as needed so their clients keep meeting challenges and seeing the results they want. “I’ve seen people do the same thing for a year straight and never change what they do. Then they stop,” Kinberger said. “We can progress you from where you are to where you want to be.”
Wellness coaching A new service offered at CHI also strives to help people change unhealthy patterns and achieve their goals. If personal training is the “doing” part of getting healthy, then wellness coaching is the “thinking” part, said Wellness Coach Carmen Winter. “It’s thinking about it on the front end rather than trying a bunch of stuff and not having any success and feeling like you’re a personal failure,” Winter said. “What we In Focus
try to do is we break things down into small enough steps that you take little steps toward your goal. You have some success.” Clients first undergo a comprehensive health assessment, then work with a coach to create a “wellness vision.” A relatively new field, wellness coaching uses positive psychology to help improve self-esteem and focuses on changing thought processes to initiate outcomes. Wellness coaching takes into account many aspects of health — diet, exercise, stress levels, sleep patterns and bad habits. “We see people every single day doing the same workouts and working hard and not having any success with weight loss or lowering their blood pressure,” she said. “Obviously, not everything is in alignment or they would be having some success with that. You might be working out like mad, but are you not controlling your diet or are you still smoking?” Continued
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Sandy Wyse, a massage therapist at the Center for Health Improvement, performs a massage on a client.
Staff is continuing to educate about this new service. There have not yet been many clients, but Winter said one client was inspired to stop smoking after one session. When someone is able to identify the mental barriers keeping them from achieving their goals, it becomes much easier to progress in the right direction, she said. “I don’t believe people are unsuccessful because they have a lack of willpower or there’s something personally wrong with them,” Winter said. “I believe they’re not succeeding because they have not found something that’s motivating enough for them to change or they don’t have the right support system in place.” For more information about wellness coaching, visit www.thecenter.haysmed. com/wellness-coaching.
Massage therapy A team of massage therapists is on hand to offer CHI members and nonmembers alike the mental and physical benefits of therapeutic massage. Once considered a pampering splurge, massage therapy has gained recognition in the medical community for helping offset several health complaints. “Doctors are starting to prescribe it,” massage therapist Sandy Wyse said. Massage has been found to help with symptoms of several chronic diseases, such as fibromyalgia, migraines and even multiple sclerosis. It also helps relieve chronic pain for those with low-back pain or sore muscles. Those benefits make massage an attractive option for all ages, from athletes looking to stay in top shape to seniors suffering from pain and limited mobility. “It’s a medicine-free way to relax your muscles,” massage therapist Rachel Loving said. “If you have knots or sore places in your body, it can help.” Massage also is known to increase joint flexibility, improve circulation and reduce post-surgery adhesions and swelling. Mental benefits also have been tied to massage therapy. Simply put, therapeutic massage is a great opportunity for clients to relax and release some stress, Loving said. It also can help lessen Page 16
depression and anxiety. “People don’t realize how much stress affects your daily life,” Loving said. “It keeps you from getting well if you’re sick.” Several types of massages, including deep tissue, Swedish, prenatal and hot stone, are available at CHI. Wyse also offers reflexology massage. Massage sessions can be purchased for 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes. Something that sets the massage team at CHI apart is the qualified staff, Loving said. While there are no legal requirements in Kansas regarding education and qualifications for massage therapists, all four therapists at CHI are certified and have completed extensive education programs. For more information or to schedule a massage, call (785) 623-5900.
At Home program A new program launched in September has allowed CHI staff to cross geographic boundaries. The At Home program enables clients to get customized workouts and advice from a perIn
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sonal trainer — all in the convenience of their own homes. The web-based program offers personalized workout videos, nutrition logs, incentives and helps clients track personal goals. “There are a lot of individuals who don’t feel comfortable with the gym setting,” said Personal Trainer Erich Bittle. “There’s also a large community of neighboring towns, smaller communities, who don’t have access to a facility like this, and they don’t feel like driving.” Participants are asked to make one initial visit to CHI, where they undergo a thorough health assessment and orientation. They are given a starter kit and an exercise band to use at home. Once at home, participants receive a new workout video each month and can communicate with their personal trainer as often as needed. The trainers will check in with each client at least once a month, Bittle said. Trainers communicate with each client and use any equipment the client might have at home or be able to access in their community. Health Matters
Kirsten Angell, wellness dietitian, visits with a client about nutrition at the Center for Health Improvement.
Nutritional therapy When it comes to getting in shape and staying fit, physical activity is only part of the equation. “A lot of times, weight management is 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent physical activity,” said Kirsten Angell, wellness Health Matters
dietitian. “A lot of times people spend 20 percent of their time and monetary budget on the nutrition part.” Forming healthy eating habits can be difficult for some, and that’s why Angell is here to help. CHI offers individual nutritional consults, which usually occur on a monthly basis. To help people make lasting changes, Angell often helps clients identify issues that could be stumbling blocks on the road to fitness, such as poor sleeping habits or high stress levels. “I just work with people sometimes on the psychology of things,” she said. “Sometimes we don’t talk about food hardly at all for the first two or three sessions. It depends on the individual.” Angell offers recipe suggestions and helps clients identify what adjustments need to be made in their diets. Data suggests medical nutritional therapy is linked to improved clinical outcomes and reduced costs related to physician time, medication use and hospital admisIn Focus
sions for people with chronic conditions. Nutrition counseling can be helpful for people of all ages, Angell said. It can help athletes improve their performance and help breastfeeding mothers maintain proper nutrition. Those with severe allergies or who have been diagnosed with cancer also can benefit greatly from nutrition counseling, she said. Angell also is a certified diabetes educator and works closely with clients who might be at risk of diabetes or have developed the disease. Medical nutrition therapy has been proven to help prevent the onset of the disease or manage it after it has been diagnosed. In addition to individual consults, CHI offers group nutrition classes and often provides presentations at corporate or community events. Other new programs are in the works, Angell said. “We’re always wanting to be ahead of the game, on the cutting edge, making sure we’re providing the most up to date information,” she said.
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“It’s a really great option for those who are able to be motivated at their house, because there’s a lot of people who have home gyms and do things at home,” said Kelly Flaska, aquatic and fitness supervisor. “They at least have that extra guidance and knowledge from someone on staff here.” Because most of the program is completed via Internet and telephone, there are no geographic boundaries. The program could reach anyone in western Kansas — and even beyond state lines. “We’re willing to help people get healthy wherever you’re at,” Flaska said. “If you can’t come here, we’ll come to you and help you reach those goals.”
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Corporate wellness programs create a
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Mason Rohleder, second from right, and Zanae Baird, second from left, both from the Center for Health Improvement, visit with Kyle Doerfler, left, and Kelsi Hoffman, both of Doerfler’s Harley Davidson, Hays, about CHI’s corporate wellness program during a meeting at the Hays business.
WorkingWell • Increasing awareness • Making healthy choices • Driving down insurance costs • Boosting employee morale The report can be updated annually to monitor progress, she said. Bank of Hays, 1000 W. 27th, has been a corporate member for several years. Employees can receive a discount on membership costs, and CHI staff visits the workplace to provide services. When an office was remodeled, for example, staff performed ergonomic testing in the workplace and found new chairs were needed. Ergonomic testing evaluates how the human body responds to equipment. Wellness
Staff participated in CHI’s Steppin’ Out walking challenge in the past and takes advantage of an online program that provides educational resources and monthly exercise suggestions and can track daily activity. The program has made a positive difference in the office’s atmosphere, said Susan Dreiling, a customer service representative at the bank. “People are more aware,” she said. “You see more discussion. Someone will bring up healthy eating or exercise every month. The atmosphere is encouraging.” Massage therapists have visited the bank to provide chair massages, which became an instant favorite. “We always remind them about that one,” Dreiling said with a laugh. “We’re like — Hey, isn’t it time?“
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s local businesses grapple with significant health insurance costs, the Center for Health Improvement has revamped a program focusing on health in the workplace. The WorkingWell Corporate Wellness program strives to increase awareness and encourage employees to make healthy choices. The benefits are two-fold — employees feel better, and employers are able to keep insurance costs down. “In the past 12 years, the annual average health insurance cost of premiums has increased about 114 percent,” said Corporate Wellness Coordinator Mason Rohleder. “What the workforce is actually responsible for out of those premiums has increased almost 150 percent. “So the employers can’t afford to pay as much, but it’s still going to have the same increase and the workforce is going to have to shoulder more of the load.” Approximately 15 Hays businesses, as well as Hays Medical Center, are taking advantage of the program, which offers three membership options and several services, including job placement assessments, personal training or wellness coaching, and WorkSmart services such as pre-employment physicals. When a business signs up for membership, employers are highly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to have their employees take a health risk assessment to help identify workplace needs. Employers also can receive a detailed report outlining how the results of that study could impact the company’s bottom line. “It calculates an absenteeism report and how much money they could possibly lose in absenteeism and productivity,” said Tamra Leiker, business office coordinator. “It’s a very detailed report outlining aggregate data attributing to financial aspects and overall health of their workforce. The HRA is very useful for the employer and the employee.”
Health Matters