Health coaches, Fidelity help employees focus on overall health: Physical, mental, financial well-being

In 2018, Human Resources continues to focus heavily on employee health and wellness through the Healthy Boiler Wellness Program and more. While staying physically and mentally healthy is important, some overlook the importance of making sure their finances are in good shape as well.

Physical, emotional and financial wellness all play a part in an individual’s overall wellness, and Purdue provides resources and assistance to help employees in all three realms.

“We have so many opportunities to help our employees achieve healthier lifestyles in all main areas -- their bodies, minds and wallets,” says Candace Shaffer, director of benefits in Human Resources. “Through the Center for Healthy Living, our health coaches and the on-site support of Fidelity, Purdue employees can access care and resources for the three main areas of overall wellness.”

Health coaching        

At the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, many resources are available. The physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and other medical care staff are on hand to treat illnesses, help manage chronic conditions and provide preventive care.

Health coaching, also available at CHL, provides continuous care over multiple sessions on topics such as nutrition, weight management, tobacco cessation, meditation, chronic condition management as well as finance. Individuals who meet with health coaches engage in a partnership with their health coach that motivates and encourages changes in behavior to help the individual obtain personal health and wellness goals. For more information, review the “Questions and answers about health coaching” webpage.

Health coaching appointments -- walking (appointments are conducted as client and health coach take a walk around campus), telephonic and in-office -- are available during normal center hours (7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday). Contact the center to schedule an appointment with a health coach by calling 765-494-0111 or scheduling via the patient portal. Those interested in health coaching group classes on specific topics such as diabetes, weight loss, etc., can call the center to learn more about the options available.

Health-coaching appointments qualify for the Healthy Boiler Wellness Program incentives.

Financial health coaches

Fidelity, Purdue’s official provider of education, guidance and assistance related to retirement plan investments and decisions, provides financial health coaches so to speak via the Fidelity Investor Center located in Purdue Memorial Union. Employees can meet with Fidelity representatives who in turn act as retirement plan / financial health coaches to help employees plan for and make decisions to enhance their financial well-being.

Available services include answering retirement questions, assisting with enrollment in retirement plans, developing comprehensive investment strategies and more.

The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To make an appointment, call 800-642-7131 or schedule online.  

Earn Healthy Boiler Wellness Program incentives via health coaching

As a reminder, health-coaching appointments can be used as wellness activities to earn Healthy Boiler incentives.

In 2018, Purdue in partnership with the Center for Healthy Living on the West Lafayette campus introduced its Healthy Boiler Wellness Program to promote wellness within the University population. Healthy Boiler encourages employees to engage in their health and wellness by identifying a primary care provider, having an annual physical and biometrics screening and participating in wellness activities; offering benefits-eligible faculty and staff -- as well as spouses covered on a Purdue medical plan -- the opportunity to earn up to $250 (employee only participation) or $500 (employee plus spouse participation) in incentives to participate.

1. Select a primary care provider. $50, employee or spouse only. $100, employee and spouse.

2. Complete annual physical and biometrics. $100, employee or spouse only. $200, employee and spouse.

3. Complete two pre-approved wellness activities. $100, employee or spouse only. $200, employee and spouse. To qualify for the incentive, the pre-approved activities must be completed and logged into the wellness portal between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, and must be from two separate categories.

To stay up-to-date on all things Healthy Boiler, visit the Healthy Boiler Portal, follow the Healthy Boiler Purdue blog and follow Healthy Boiler on social media:

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Any questions on the wellness incentive program can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222, 877-725-0222 (toll-free) or hr@purdue.edu.