Royal Visio

About Koninklijke Visio

Royal Visio is the center of expertise for partially sighted and blind people and offers information and advice and various forms of examination, guidance, rehabilitation, education and housing nationwide. These services are for people who are partially sighted or blind, even if they also have a mental, physical or other sensory impairment. The client inspires Visio employees to be skilled, creative and flexible. Respect for the client and his or her choices as well as the quality of his or her life come first. Cooperation with other parties is self-evident. The idea to offer the health check to both employees and clients came about because a health check had previously been performed on location. And this low-threshold method, in which the employees gained insight into both physical and mental health in a clear manner, fits perfectly with what the company stands for. Namely a personal and appropriate approach to ensure satisfied clients.

Encouraging people to discover their potential

SinceKoninklijkeVisio was founded more than 200 years ago, its mission has remained essentially unchanged: using its specialized expertise, Visio supports people with visual impairments in living as independently as possible, together with the people around them. Royal Visio has partnered with Simple Check to offer a health check (also known as a Preventive Medical Examination). And not just to employees, but also to Visio’s clients. These are people with visual and intellectual disabilities. They strive to empower all their clients to be self-aware. To give them the opportunity to have as much control as possible over their lives and the choices they make within them. There is a certain degree of dependency, but the more clients are empowered to let their own wishes and ideas prevail, the more positively they experience life.

In conversation with Annemiek Seegers, HRM advisor at Visio, Living & Day Care region Middle

Koninklijke Visio has decided to offer a health check (PMO) to both employees and clients. “This fits perfectly with our vision of encouraging people to discover their potential. To focus on what is possible! When visually impaired and blind people can (once again) tap into their strengths, they become who they want to be. This makes a more independent life possible, with greater self-determination,” says Annemiek Seegers, HRM advisor at Visio, Housing & Day Care, Central Region.

"The idea of offering the health check to our clients came about because we previously facilitated health checks for employees at our location." says Seegers. "Through this approachable and innovative health check, our employees gained insight into both physical and their mental health in an orderly manner."

Enthusiasm

"Many employees became inspired to take a focused approach to their health and lifestyle. Because of this enthusiasm, the question naturally came up with many of our clients. They too were curious and interested. In addition, they would like to have more tools to get started with a healthy lifestyle. After a thorough inventory and discussing the possibilities with Simple Check, we opted for a health check focused on physical measurements and mental measurements by means of a verbal questionnaire with one of the specialists on the bus focused on the so-called BRAVO themes."

Physical measurements:

• Blood tests (cholesterol and blood sugar)
• BMI, Fat Percentage and Abdominal Girth
• Blood pressure

Questionnaire with one of the specialists on the bus focused on the so-called BRAVO themes:

• Move
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Nutrition
• Relaxation

"It was well discussed in advance how the test would be conducted and how results of this test would be communicated to clients. This was well thought of by the Simple Check team."

Annemiek Seegers, HRM advisor

Royal Visio

Quality of life

"Since Visio was founded, more than 200 years ago, our mission is basically unchanged: with specialized expertise, Visio supports people with visual impairments in living as independent an existence as possible, together with the people around them. The health check can be an important part of this. We strive to enable our clients to be self-aware. To give them the opportunity to have as much control as possible over their lives and the choices they make. There is a certain degree of dependence, but the more clients are empowered to let their own wishes and ideas prevail, the more positively they experience life."

"What I loved about it is that clients themselves indicate that they really want to 'grow old healthy.' This motivates them to participate. It was nice that the results of the tests were discussed immediately with the clients. The employee of Simple Check asked very specific questions and in this way details were immediately discussed and appointments could be made. For example, we held a residents' meeting here in the group on the basis of the results of the research and were able to make joint agreements about, for example, coffee consumption. In short, a useful study. Residents themselves indicate that they would like a follow-up survey in a while to see if the results have improved." _ Response from a client supervisor.

Specialist staff

The choice to partner with Simple Check is for good reason, says Seegers. "Just as Visio has the expertise in the field of visual impairment, Simple Check has specialist expertise in the field of vitality and health. They too are constantly developing new services and methodologies. They work with well-trained and equipped professionals. This also radiates to the participants of the study. Our clients experience them as reliable, inspiring and involved. They also thought well of the options available. For example, a verbal explanation was chosen and more time was set aside for guidance anyway. Good agreements were also made regarding privacy. In short, a successful experience for all parties involved."

"It was the first time for me. Everything was good, blood pressure measured and looked at my blood for blood sugar. They also gave another tip to drink more water. I do that now while doing the dishes, a little extra water in between. They may organize the health check again, but not so often. Once a year is often enough. I would sign up again next time". _ Response from a client.

In conclusion

"The health check went well. What was nice is that everything was casual, clients were given enough time and space, also to indicate if they found something exciting. If they were interested in the blood pressure monitor, for example, they were given time to feel it all over and ask questions about it. If they didn't want to check something that was fine too. The fairly informal atmosphere helped contribute to a positive experience." _ Response from a client supervisor.