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3. 2023 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference

Promoting Healthy and Safe Aging on the Farm

Devon Charlier, Erica Shuck, Megan Schossow, and Jeff Bender

Summary

Over a third of U.S. farmers are older than 65 (Farm Producers, 2019). Many continue to live and work on the farm well beyond the typical retirement age. Without adequate support, the physical changes of aging, like changes in response time, vision, hearing, memory, and mobility, can make life on the farm more difficult and dangerous. In addition, rural communities face barriers to accessing healthcare, including transportation issues and limited availability of providers or specialty services. These issues require innovative and equitable solutions to help keep farmers, farm workers, and their families active, safe, and supported as they age.

To support the health and safety of farmers as they age in place, the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) and the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation (CHAI) at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health collaborated to fund four partner projects. These partner projects formed transdisciplinary collaborations, designed innovative solutions, and piloted programs for aging farmers in the Upper Midwest. One project leveraged the power of faith-based communities to reach and understand the experiences and needs of aging farmers. Another project educated healthcare workers about providing care for those with dementia and increased community awareness of and support for the mental and physical health impacts of dementia. Finally, two projects brought occupational therapy services and tools in creative ways to rural aging adults, including those with Parkinson’s Disease, and their caregivers.

The UMASH evaluation team synthesized project reports and insights from debrief meetings to identify successes, challenges, and opportunities for the future. In this presentation session, presenters will describe 1) the process UMASH used to consult key invested groups about the issue of aging safely in place on the farm, 2) the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the funded partner projects, and 3) lessons learned and recommendations for reaching, recruiting, and engaging older aging adults in health and safety outreach and intervention.

Details

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