Healthier Lifestyles on Menu For County Employees

CREST HAVEN — Reduce the fat, be mindful what’s eaten, don’t sit still, move around, and know your numbers. Sounds like a visit to the doctor’s office, but it wasn’t.
On Sept. 11, those were the guiding principles behind the start of the new Cape May County Wellness Program that will be offered to all county employees and their families with an eye toward encouraging “an increased culture of health and wellness and reduced medical expenses,” according to a release.
In the lobby of the county Administration Building was a setup similar to something one would expect on The Food Channel. Against the northern wall was a long table on which were a colorful pile of vegetables, books on healthy living, and an electric fry pan.
Behind the table was Marilou Rochford, director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service office, sporting a red Rutgers apron with bowls of zucchini, whole-wheat pasta, onion and seasoning.
On an adjacent table, hosted by the county Health Department, was Joan Rowland, health educator, and two members of the county’s Medical Reserve Corps, who were prepared to take blood pressures.
Displayed against the east wall was a large display that incorporated the new Cape May County Employees Wellness Program logo. It is a stylized runner and healthy heart atop the golden county seal.
Joann Barnard was introduced to the 22 in attendance, which included all freeholders, assorted employees and a few members of the public, there to attend the regular 5:30 p.m. caucus session prior to the 7 p.m. freeholders meeting.
The Wellness Program has been a discussion item among employees for several months, guided by Edmund Grant, director of operations, who realized that to trim medical claims by employees it would be beneficial to educate employees on healthier lifestyles, which includes eating healthier and exercising more.
An advisory board of 30 employees helped to create the program, which is being funded in part by Ameri-Health.
Grant told the gathering getting that logo “was one of the toughest parts of this process.” When 50 voted on it, the tally was evenly split. In a move to compromise, it was decided to incorporate both parts into the logo, he added.
Mission statement of the program: “The Cape May County Wellness Division is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyle choices for all Cape May County employees. Through a collaborative approach to health education, promotion, and facilitation of present services offered to our community, we are committed to providing opportunities that support growth in the multiple dimensions of health: physical, emotional, social and environmental.”
Each month will be dedicated to a different health factor, said Grant.
Goals of the division:
• Offer programs and services emphasizing awareness, prevention, and positive health behavior changes.
• Provide current and accurate information on personal and community health issues.
• Foster a campus environment with outreach to satellite divisions (such as Fare Free Transportation, Parks, Facilities and Services) supportive of a healthy lifestyle.
• Provide knowledge and skills to improve and maintain health that may enhance personal and/or work performance.
Valeria LaBaska, client services representative, Marsh and McLennan Agency helped to form the program, Grant said. LaBaska said of a recent seminar she attended regarding medical claims, there were three chief reasons that accounted for 71 percent of claims: Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, use of tobacco products.
“All these are preventable and can be corrected,” said LaBaska. If someone changes their behavior toward a healthier lifestyle, everyone benefits, including the county which pays medical claims.
“It is difficult but not impossible,” she added.
Grant stated that many parts of the program were already in place, making employees aware of what is available to them will make greater use of resources. Letters have been sent to all county employees telling them of the program.
“The investment will be back in our employees,” said Grant, “That is the future going forward.”