Healthy Connections ‘Steps to a Healthier You’
Wheaton Franciscan Healthy Connections is about an overall relationship between employers and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare that allows us to help you maintain a healthy workforce and ultimately save health care costs. The following is a list of programs that can be customized to meet your company’s goals and objectives.
Cardiovascular
Cardiac Risk Factors
Are your employees at risk?
Stroke
Strokes continue to cause significant disability and deaths. Prevention is key. Learn what your risks are and how to modify them as we discuss how vascular disease and strokes go hand in hand.
Emotional Health
Alcohol Consumption
This discussion will center on the misuse and abuse of alcohol including the consequences this has on both the individual and family. We will also address the legal issues related to mandated blood alcohol levels and the lawful consequences associated with drinking and driving.
Stress/Depression
This discussion will address signs and symptoms of depression and the fall out of the stress this creates. We will also identify specific techniques that can be used to reduce stress in one’s life including balancing work, family, setting priorities and limits.
Your Financial Health Check Up
Your employees will get a basic overview of things they can do to eliminate the stress created by finances. This session will review how to plan a budget, how to consolidate debt, save money, plan for the future and protect yourself against the fastest growing crime in the country…identity theft.
Ergonomics
Back Care and Ergonomics
Discuss injury prevention, care for lower back injuries, proper body mechanics, proper lifting techniques and an overview of ergonomics. This is an interactive learning session so participants will be able to demonstrate most of what is taught by the end of the session.
Exercise and Fitness
Benefits of Exercise (New)
This session will discuss time and frequency recommendations for exercise and how exercise aids in disease prevention. We will also discuss the FITT (Frequency/Intensity/Time/Type) Principle.
Diabetes and Exercise
If you have diabetes or would like tools to help you prevent the onset, come to this class. We will talk about the importance of exercise in disease prevention and management.
“How Intense is Intense” Exercise Sampler
This sampler class will show you many different levels of exercise. We will focus on teaching the differences in exercise intensity levels, and how they apply to breathing during allergy season. Please wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes to this class.
Mind, Spirit, Body
This class is a mix of Yoga and breathing techniques, with a dash of meditation and relaxation. For anyone who is busy or needs a way to renew, join us for these 60 wonderful minutes.
A “Round” of Exercises for Golfers
A stretching and techniques class for people who like golf. We will start with a lesson on the importance of stretching before you play, and will finish with tips and techniques for a better game. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a club. Fore!
Strength Training 101
Our strength training class will show you the basics of resistance bands and balls and give you easy exercises that you can do at home or at the office. Please wear athletic shoes to this class.
Stretching and Back Health
This class will focus on strengthening the core and back muscles, which can lead to less pain. Also learn correct lifting techniques and knowing when it’s time to see the doctor.
Women on Weights
Studies have shown the importance of weight training for the overall health of women. Join us for this weight training class where we will show you how to use hand weights and your own body weight to build muscle. Please wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes, and bring hand weights.
Yoga/Pilates Combo
This class will give you a sample of both Yoga and Pilates, and will show you differences between the two. If you have never tried these classes, you won’t want to miss this sampler.
Gastroenterology
Colon Cancer Prevention
How important is colon cancer? Who is at risk for getting colon cancer? Should you wait for symptoms of colon cancer? How to screen for colon cancer?
Heartburn
What is it and what can be done about it?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lactose Intolerance
Peptic Ulcer Disease
What’s this I hear about it being an infection?
General Health
Advanced Directives (New)
An advance directive is a legal document that you prepare before you become unable to talk about your medical care wishes. The document tells your caregivers what treatments you want or do not want. An advance directive also appoints someone to make those choices for you when you are unable to do so yourself.
Ask a Pharmacist (New)
Learn how to get the most out of your medications and your medication dollars. The presentation can be customized to reflect a specific employer’s drug benefit with assistance from their Human Resources Department. Ample time is provided for questions during and after the presentation.
Radiology Tests 101 (New)
Learn the difference between a CT scan, a MRI scan and a Nuclear Medicine scan. You will also learn what goes on behind the scenes when you have an X-ray.
Sleep Apnea/Insomnia (New)
Approximately 40 million people in the United States suffer from a chronic sleeping disorder such as sleep apnea or insomnia. Insomnia has been often described as the most common sleep complaint among Americans, and sleep apnea is far more common than generally understood. Both leave individuals often feeling tired, difficulties with concentrating and the increased likelihood of accidents, such as automobile collisions. During this talk, the cardinal signs of these disorders will be discussed, along with the causes, negative implications, and available treatments and recommendations.
Staying Healthy – Germbusters (New)
Handwashing is the number one way of preventing the spread of germs from one person or thing to another person or to you. Some germs also are spread through the air hanging on to droplets of moisture such as a cough. This presentation will discuss preventing the spread of the droplet carried germs and the hand carried germs.
Understanding Your Healthcare Bill (New)
Men’s Health
Men’s Health
This session will review a preventative checklist for men. You will learn about cardiovascular risk factors, cancer screening tests, health modifications that can be made, and routine maintenance.
Neurology
Boost Your Brain (New)
There is exciting research that memory and thinking speed can be enhanced and that the odds of getting some types of dementia may be reduced by incorporating a few basic fundamentals of brain fitness. Learn what types of diet, exercise, and behaviors are associated with maximum brain fitness so that you can begin to take simple steps to boost your brain health!
Headache/Migraine
This session discusses the Impact of daily life/work on migraine headaches. How do you diagnosis the headache - is it a migraine or other type of headache? Treatment options will be explored (what Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints has to offer at the Comprehensive Headache Center as well as a multi-disciplinary approach).
It’s Not All in Your Head (New)
This session discusses self treatment approaches to managing headache pain. You will learn how to identify and treat 3 common muscles that often produce headache pain.
Nutrition
Are you Salt Savvy?
Watching your salt intake can be a challenge. This program reviews current sodium guidelines, sources of sodium in the diet, how to identify sodium on the food label, and tips on how to make your foods tasty with less added salt.
Caught in a Hamster Wheel? Tips for Healthy Eating on the Run
Do you feel like all you do is go, go, go, and before you know it you have missed breakfast and lunch? This session reviews current trends in American eating patterns and provides practical tips for healthy eating while on the run.
DASH Your Way to Lower Blood Pressure
“Can you pass the salt?” A sprinkle here, a dash there, it is not uncommon to find ourselves jazzing up dinner with salt. Learn dietary approaches to stop hypertension as well as incorporates DASH diet guidelines into a healthy eating pattern for those who have hypertension.
Do you have Portion Distortion?
Are your eyes bigger than your stomach? With the rise of super sizing, grandes, and maxed out meals, no wonder Americans waists lines are expanding! This session reviews recommended portion sizes and provides household items to compare food quantities to help guesstimate if your portions are in the right ballpark.
Don’t Go on a Diet – Fix the One You Have!
Low carbohydrate, high carbohydrate, low protein, high protein, low fat, high fat …this session reviews healthy ways to manage your weight by improving lifestyle habits such as behavior modification tips, smart shopping guidelines, and ideas for making healthy menu selections when eating out.
Fact, Fiction, and Fad Diets
Are you stuck in “The Zone” or on “South Beach” or are you a consumer that doesn’t know what to believe or where to turn for accurate nutrition information? This session sets the record straight why fad diets don’t work and tips for successful weight loss.
Fast Food: Nutrition in the Fast Lane
Is your excuse for those poor eating habits, “I don’t have time?” Are you spending most of your time at work or in the car and the quickest solution for hunger is convenience? It is time to hit the brakes and fuel your body with the right energy to power through your day. Learn how to make healthy choices at the drive through window.
“Fun”damentals of Label Reading
This session reviews the food label to help consumers make nutritionally sound choices while grocery shopping, compare products to find the nutritionally superior products, and understand health and label claims.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All! A Look at the New MyPyramid Plan
The new MyPyramid provides an individualized approach to variety, proportionality, moderation, physical activity, and gradual improvement.
The Skinny of Fat and Cholesterol
Fat has a bad reputation and no wonder the craze of low fat, no fat, and trans fat free products! Understand the current fat guidelines, types of fat and cholesterol, the role fat plays in our bodies, and ways to decrease risk for heart disease will give healthy fats the reputation they deserve.
Wise Choices for Wise Families
Do you get home from work only to hear differing opinions of what’s for dinner? Are you finding your family feeding the vegetables to the dog, only to ask “what’s for dessert?” This session addresses the USDA’s recommendations for daily intake as well as provides tips on ways to apply it to you and your family.
Prevention
Adult Immunizations
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a softening of the bones and is a major public health threat that affects almost 44 million Americans every year. Take control and learn up-to-date information on the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
Diabetes
Signs, symptoms and prevention
Pediatrics
The importance of Well Baby Check ups and immunizations
Respiratory
Allergies
Asthma
Safety
Drowsy Driving (New)
Drowsy driving is an important but often unrecognized traffic safety problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsiness contributes to more than 100,000 collisions each year, resulting in over 1,500 deaths and 40,000 injuries. Teenagers, professional drivers (including truck drivers), and shift workers are at particular risk. During the talk, we'll discuss common causes of drowsy driving along with some of the truths and myths of reducing the likelihood of falling asleep behind the wheel.
Fire Prevention (New)
Fire is one of the most common disasters. Fires don’t have to be deadly if you are prepared and have a plan. Reviewing safety steps will help you to respond in a life threatening situation.
Home Safety (New)
Receive tips on how to protect your home and family. Learn what types of doors, windows and locking hardware are better suited to making your home a secure environment. Home owners must also learn security tips about their yard and walkways. There are also ways to keep your home safe while you're away on vacation.
Internet Kid Safety (New)
Teach your children clear, simple rules regarding Internet usage. Other resources will be provided for parents so they learn more about child safety to include how to contact the Cyber Tipline and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). This is especially useful for newer parents and grandparents.
Personal Safety and Awareness (New)
Tips and things to think about as you travel about during your day, whether you walk or drive. There will be travel tips provided for those folks who like to go on vacations, especially outside of the United States. Foreign travel can be very risky to those who don't do some homework first.
Smoking Cessation
Breathe Better, Live Better
This is a four week smoking cessation program to learn the skills to help you kick the habit for good.
Smoking Cessation
Do you smoke or chew tobacco? Are you thinking about quitting? Have you tried before and not been successful? Quitting is not easy for most people. Come and learn what works.
Teambuilding
True Colors (New)
In this half hour interactive workshop, your employees will learn what the true “color” of their personality is and how to value the differences of their associates. This program will foster improved communication, teambuilding, and leadership skills by enhancing the understanding of how to draw upon the strengths of their team members.
Women’s Health
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and when detected early, the five year survival rate exceeds 98%. Learn your risk factors and the importance of mammography in the early detection of breast cancer.
Women’s Health
An overview of current issues in Women’s Health as well as recommended screenings and latest tests available.
For more information on Wheaton Franciscan Healthy Connections and its Health and Wellness Services, please call (262) 687-2130 or contact Judy.Gavigan@wfhc.org