How many plan members are living with chronic disease?
In 2023, Benefits Canada | PDF 5.8MB reported that 54% of Canadian plan members live with at least 1 chronic disease.
Mental-health conditions like depression or anxiety, high cholesterol, arthritis, hypertension, chronic pain and diabetes are at the top of the list of chronic diseases plan members suffer from.
It’s Anna, the marketing manager, who has lupus that causes so much joint pain, she cringes whenever she needs to stand up from her desk.
It’s Rod, from security, whose neck injury from a severe car accident last year has him in near-constant pain.
It’s Ariel, the executive assistant, who finished cancer treatment 4 years ago and is still managing the side effects like fatigue and neuropathy in her fingers.
Fatigue. Pain. Insomnia. Nausea. Confusion. These are some of the daily symptoms of many chronic diseases or the side effects of the treatments for them.
Many people might take a sick day if they felt like this. But what happens when they feel like this every day?
Chronic diseases aren’t always visible. And more and more, people are living with the side effects of a chronic disease and trying to live their life.
The 2020 edition of The Sanofi Canada Healthcare Survey found that among members of a workplace plan:
- 58% reported having at least one chronic disease
- 48% experience chronic pain
- 53% are concerned about their chronic disease
- 38% missed work due to their chronic disease and condition
- 35% took time off for health care appointments
- 51% arrived late or left early due to chronic pain
How chronic disease impacts Canadians at work
When people aren’t feeling their best – physically and mentally – but they’re still at work, it can affect the entire workplace:
- Decreased productivity — members with a chronic disease may experience frequent absences, reduced work performance or impaired concentration.
- Workplace safety concerns — some chronic diseases may pose safety risks in the workplace to people suffering from them if not managed properly.
- Employee morale and retention — chronic disease can impact members morale and job satisfaction, leading to decreased engagement and potentially higher turnover rates if members feel unsupported or unable to manage their health needs effectively at work.
Providing well-being programs could be a game-changer for sponsors and their organization.
A 2023 Environics Research survey found these as some of the results of well-being initiatives:
- 44% of people reported better job satisfaction
- 44% said their work environment is more positive
- 39% said they feel more supported at work
- 39% reported their productivity has increased
- 34% said retention has improved
- 32% had a better relationship with colleagues
- 29% had a better relationship with managers
- 24% said absenteeism has reduced
Offering flexible work arrangements where possible can also be helpful. That could include offering a hybrid schedule of in-office and at-home workdays or shifting a member’s work hours from the traditional 9 to 5 to something better suited to their needs. In a recent survey by Express Services Inc., 90% of employers said employees with flexible work arrangements are productive and 37% said their workers are very productive.
How can sponsors support members with chronic disease?
While members don’t have to disclose their health conditions, plan sponsors have an opportunity to help members who might have this on-going health issue live better.
Most group benefit plans provide paramedical services and drugs coverage for several chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, stroke and others. They also provide coverage for some medical devices like breathing equipment, orthopedic equipment, mobility aids, hearing aids, diabetic supplies and other medical supplies.
We also have resources to help members with chronic disease. Speak to your Canada Life group representative to learn about how you can enhance your group benefits plan and/or increase members awareness of what’s available.
For example, you may wish to add:
- Consult+ gives members access to a virtual walk-in clinic. Consult+ also has an employee assistance program (EAP) and can provide counselling and support on topics including: family, relationships, childcare, careers, legal, finance and mental health.
- Mental Health Services by Consult+. This is a comprehensive mental health program plan sponsors can choose to add to their plan. It provides members with access to medical professionals specializing in several areas including sleep, anxiety, depression, conflict and relationship management, time management, mourning and loss, burnout and more. Members also get access to unlimited basic mental health consultations and medical professional who can diagnose and prescribe for new mental health conditions.
- Teladoc gives members access to find Canadian medical specialists based on specific criteria. They can get answers to basic questions about their health conditions and treatment options from experts.
- Contact and CoreContact by Telus Health is for members to access mental health, financial and legal support. This is a great resource for members who are going through family-related challenges and need support in balancing family obligations.
- Wealthgoal provide members with financial support and offers tools, calculators and strategies for financial saving and planning.
- Health Connected is a hub of information to help members stay healthy. It includes content on healthy eating and physical activity.
- Pillcheck allows members can get the genetic information they need to find medications that help them manage their pain or their chronic disease.