Initiative Focused on Wellness
In a significant move to enhance the health and well-being of its care staff, Pflege Wessel in Wuppertal has partnered with Bergische Health Insurance. This collaboration aims to address the unique challenges faced by care workers in the mobile, home care service sector.
The partnership, set to be showcased at the health fair on September 28, 2025, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Kunsthalle and the company's premises (Oberdörnen 90 in Barmen), exemplifies occupational health promotion programs designed specifically for care industry employees.
Michael Strohmaier from Bergische Health Insurance highlights the high physical and mental demands, shift work, and great social responsibility in the care industry. Recognizing these challenges, the collaboration offers a wide range of services tailored to the unique needs of caregivers.
Some of the initiatives include:
- Workplace Health Management: Establishing structured health management systems within care facilities that address physical and mental health risks caregivers face daily.
- Ergonomic Training and Support: Offering training to care workers on proper body mechanics and use of assistive devices to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
- Stress Reduction and Mental Health Programs: Providing mental health resources, stress management workshops, and counseling services to help employees cope with the emotional challenges of care work.
- Preventive Health Services: Facilitating regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings tailored to caregivers’ specific occupational exposures.
- Health Promotion Workshops: Conducting education on nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices as part of holistic employee support.
Psychologist Janine Gerdau, an expert in occupational health management, provided stress management and self-care courses for 16 sessions to the care teams at Pflege Wessel. The focus of her courses was on defining stressors, analyzing stress reactions, and identifying stress amplifiers like hindering beliefs. Important methods of self-care, according to Gerdau, include creating pleasant experiences, cultivating social contact, and consciously perceiving the positive.
The initial coaching program implemented in the administrative sector of Pflege Wessel was successful, despite the sedentary activity. However, the diverse demands and needs within the workforce necessitated various coachings and courses. The feedback from employees regarding the stress management and self-care coachings has been consistently positive.
Michael Wessel, owner of Pflege Wessel, believes it's his duty to provide occupational health promotion offers and programs for his employees. He continues to prioritize these initiatives, looking forward to many more specialized offers from Bergische Health Insurance.
At the health fair, Gerdau will provide tips on relaxation, and admission is free. This collaboration underscores the importance of occupational health promotion in the care sector and sets a positive example for other organisations to follow.
- The collaboration between Pflege Wessel and Bergische Health Insurance focuses on science-driven initiatives for workplace wellness, such as establishing workplace health management systems, ergonomic training, stress reduction programs, preventive health services, and health promotion workshops to enhance the mental health and overall well-being of caregivers.
- Recognizing the unique demands and needs in the care industry, the partnership offers tailored health and wellness programs, including psychologist-led stress management and self-care courses, aimed at addressing the physical and mental health challenges faced by care workers in the mobile, home care service sector.
