When COVID-19 shut down offices and schools, caregivers were left scrambling for
While telehealth and digital care platforms were the obvious solution, building holistic healthcare benefits isn't as easy as throwing a bunch of apps at employees.
Both Madhavi Vemireddy, CEO of family support solution Cleo, and Nancy Jester, senior manager of physical and emotional wellness at Walmart, know this firsthand. At EBN's
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"We talk a lot about 'whole person health,' but I think what we're missing is family-centered health," said Vemireddy. "That is a critical pillar for personal health because behind every care recipient is a caregiver. If the health of the caregiver declines, because they're at that stage of burnout, then the health of the care recipient is also impacted."
Vemireddy's son is on the autism spectrum, while Jester takes care of her elderly mom — both women highlighted how their well-being is tied to their loved ones' well-being, and yet, the traditional definition of health is often limited to the individual receiving care. However, technology is rewriting this definition, said Jester.
"People now expect to be able to shop for whatever they want, however they want, and that includes healthcare services," she said. "[Walmart] is delivering tools and resources to our associates directly and digitally, so they can access it whenever and however they want."
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Those tools include digital mental health care for families, noted Jester. Tech has made it easier to include the employee and their loved ones since the care can be accessed from a phone or computer — without the logistical nightmare that often follows scheduling appointments with providers, especially in the mental health space.
But Vemireddy and Jester reminded employers that they have to be intentional in what digital health platforms they choose for their workforce. The solution not only has to be inclusive of employees with different kinds of families and backgrounds, but it has to be backed by accessible and experienced providers.
"We start by listening to our [employees'] needs and finding the right solution," said Jester. "But you have to make sure it's not just a screen or app. Behind it, there has to be a human component."
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For Vemireddy, the human component is what makes Cleo an effective solution for family health. It takes a provider to explain to a patient or caregiver when there are warning signs for a potential health scare; it takes a provider to share trust advice and treatment on how to prevent and minimize further physical and mental harm.
"We have a global care network of allied health professionals with expertise across different stages of life," said Vemireddy. "If you're going through pregnancy care, you're most likely working with a doula or midwife. There are lactation consultants and sleep consultants, solving the issues you really can't solve with just technology."
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Jester admited that employers have a big challenge on their hands, given just how many solutions are available. But she encouraged employers to consider these options an advantage — they can find the solution that fits their employees rather than being pigeonholed into working with one company.
Vemireddy advised employers to allow their definitions of health to expand and find a solution that reflects the company's new definition. An employee's life is made up of a wide array of experiences and loved ones, but that doesn't mean they should be expected to juggle countless apps, she said.
"Why are we expecting [employees] to go to multiple-point solutions to manage their family's health?" said Vemireddy. "It's not a good experience because you could be missing critical information. It's really important for the [solution] to have the full picture."
