The "aging of America" extends far beyond urban boundaries; 25 percent of all U.S. "elders" live in rural communities, a panel recently told the Vermont Farm Health Task Force at its quarterly meeting. Those who actively continue to farm exhibit the effects of an exceptionally vigorous life combined with a lack of relevant health care opportunities and access.
Seventy percent of Vermont farmers are older than age 45. Often there is no next generation waiting to take over the tractor seat. Many older farmers suffer from osteoarthritis; they tend to have a higher percentage of work-related disabilities than the general population, caused by repetitive motion and the dangers inherent to farming. Fifty percent of older farmers lack power take off protection shields, roll over protection systems (ROPS) on their tractors, stated Karen Burke, M.D., Fletcher Allen Medical Center (FAMC), Family Medicine Physician/Geriatrics.
Once a farmer is injured or disabled, he or she often lacks professional supports specific to the significant work demands and time constraints of farming. Primary care givers often become ill with stress. Companies like Home Instead Senior Care of South Burlington, VT, provide respite care and light housekeeping to relieve primary care givers, whether the person receiving care has fallen or received an injury -- or suffers from a chronic condition, Patrice Thabault, its director, shared her perspective. Rather than waiting for a crisis, individuals should plan ahead of time, setting up a power of attorney or living will.
Musculoskeletal issues are the number one problem for farmers, said orthopedist Dr. Philip Trabulsy, Hand Rehabilitation Center, FAHC, South Burlington, VT. Farmers may have non-trauma type issues: ligament, tendon, nerve, carpal tunnel, and pinched nerve.
Key health issues are bone health and joint pressure, exacerbated by being overweight. "As we age, we lose the ability to know where our feet are."
To improve balance, he recommends tai chi or yoga. Getting proper sleep helps prevent injury too. He recommends alternative therapies for chronic pain. Many farmers benefit from ergonomic improvement for equipment that minimizes mechanical vibrations. Not taking frequent breaks, a factor that adds to their problem; they "need more prevention."
Veteran farmers Conrad and Jessie Orr of Orwell presented their views on farming and growing older. Married for 53 years, both have diabetes and other physical ailments. Conrad wore out his first hip replacement in six years.
Health professionals may lack knowledge of farm ways, Jessie Orr said. The idea of taking a short break is a joke. They say you should sit down for a meal; if you're on the tractor, you're sitting down."
There are a lot of positives about farm life, she noted. "The farm is a good place to raise children." In general, farmers have a low rate of heart disease and are less likely to smoke than non-farmers. The rate of obesity among farm families is no higher than the national average.
Health professionals also fail to understand the farm work ethic, said Kathy Mason, University of Vermont Extension vocational rehabilitation counselor, Rural & Agricultural VocRehab. More than likely, they fail to grasp the concept that, to a farmer, "back to work part-time" may be an eight-hour day.
Recently celebrating its second anniversary, the Vermont Farm Health Task Force is a consortium of medical professionals, agriculture professionals, agency leaders, and others concerned about farm health and safety. Five Work Groups address relevant topics in Education and Outreach, Farm Safety, Health Access and Policy, Immigrant and Migrant Health, and Practitioner Education. In 2008, it sponsored AgriSafe, Occupational and Health training for medical professionals to help them differentiate farmer health and safety needs from those of non-farmers.
For more information about the task force, call Jean McCandless, MSW, Program Director, VT Farm Health Task Force, (802) 373-6996 or e-mail [email protected], or Karen Schneider, VT Farm Health Task Force Coordinator, Associate Professor, University of Vermont Extension, (802) 773-3349 or e-mail [email protected].
Source: UVM.
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