AIA Australia, one of the largest life insurers in Australia, today announced the launch of its new RESTORE CaRe Positivum program in partnership with global reinsurer Swiss Re, and national occupational rehabilitation services provider IPAR.
The program helps members to transition from the treatment phase of cancer back to wellness, and is currently being piloted by REST Industry Super (REST), combining the industry best practice of AIA Australia, Swiss Re and IPAR.
AIA Australia and New Zealand CEO Damien Mu said: “We are delighted to be working together with REST, Swiss Re and IPAR to address mental health and wellbeing for cancer patients through this program. The need to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Australians is a problem we must all tackle, and AIA Australia is focused on working with its partners to find new ways to support Australians and make a difference in their lives. Our combined learnings and practical experience have helped deliver an innovative program that addresses the holistic needs of cancer patients developing wellness and work readiness.”
The pilot initiative uses the AIA RESTORE CaRe™ as a base and adds IPAR’s Positivum™ wellness coaching model developed in conjunction with Monash University and Cancer Council NSW. The stepped care program also builds on Swiss Re's experience in delivering a rehabilitation service in the United Kingdom.
The Australian pilot is supported by the Cancer Council in New South Wales and Victoria. There are 100 REST members participating in the program which focuses on identifying the barriers that are preventing them from returning to wellness and work. It then helps them to find solutions to these barriers.
Mu said: “Our partners and their members have told us that it is often a big adjustment transitioning from the active stage of cancer treatment back into a normal routine. When medical support suddenly ceases, the person recovering from cancer often struggles to return to a normal life. Many are left with fatigue, “chemo fog”, deconditioning, and sometimes depression and anxiety. We provide strategies and expert advice to minimise these symptoms and to support these members back to wellness and eventually to work.”
To assess and benchmark the impact and success of the pilot, IPAR will continue to partner with Monash University to conduct research on the program. Swiss Re's Managing Director of Australia & New Zealand, Mark Senkevics said: "Swiss Re is proud to be one of the partner organisations driving an industry-leading initiative, which provides assistance to customers with cancer to rebuild resilience and to help access the important health benefits associated with returning to 'good' work."
Mu said: “Previous research on our RESTORE program conducted in 2014 revealed some remarkable results: 84% of participants improved their wellness, 86% reported improved symptom management and 50% recovered and returned to work from the three-month program. We are confident that the RESTORE CaRe Positivum research will be equally successful. The collective commitment by AIA, REST, Swiss Re and IPAR to help cancer patients beyond medical treatment highlights the increasing importance of tackling mental health and wellbeing issues in our community.”
Contact: Ingrid Nienaber
AIA Australia
T: +613 9009 4143
E: Ingrid.Nienaber@aia.com
About AIA Australia
AIA Australia Limited is an independent life insurance specialist with over 45 years of experience building real and sustainable partnerships. AIA Australia offers a range of products that protect and enhance the lives of nearly three million Australians and is widely recognised as a market leader in product innovation and development. AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific.
AIA Australia is one of the country’s largest life insurers by market share and works closely with major financial institutions and corporate partners to provide life insurance solutions for their customers. In addition, AIA Australia is the fastest growing provider of retail life insurance products sold through financial advisers. AIA Australia also works with a network of affinity partners that distribute life insurance products. By having a partnership philosophy at the core of its business, AIA Australia is focused on building genuine relationships and delivering real value to its business partners.
In March 2014, AIA Australia introduced ‘Vitality’ – the world’s leading scientifically-backed health and wellness program, to the Australian market. AIA Vitality aims to be the catalyst for real change to the positive health outcomes of Australians.
