A N A G R A B I L I T Y U N L I M I T E D I L L I N O I S P U B L I C A T I O N

Helping farmers keep their independence.

AGING & FARMING

FARMING WITH ARTHRITIS

HEARING LOSS AND SAFETY

78% of farmers believe they have hearing loss

MANAGING DIABETES

P G . 6

AGRABILITY CLIENT STORY: JERRY TIBBS, MASON COUNTYPG. 3

IT'S ALL ABOUT HOPE.We know that farming isn't just a job, it's a way of life.

That's why we want you to keep working for as long as

you can. If you or a loved one is an older farmer, we

have gathered some helpful information and resources

to make sure you can carry on the family tradition.

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS

A CLIENT STORYJerry Tibbs

MANAGING DIABETES

HEARING LOSS & SAFETY ON THE FARM

FARMING WITH ARTHRITIS

CONTINUE FARMING IN ILLINOISContact us.

MEET JERRY“The assistance from

AgrAbility Unlimited has provided me with items I needed in

order to continue with my preferred life.” 

Jerry Tibbs of Mason County,

Illinois was raising a herd of

40 Boer goats when he

went in for heart surgery in

2012. During the surgery,

Jerry had complications,

resulting in amputations on

both legs below the knee.  

He was fitted with

prosthetics and went to

physical therapy. Although

Jerry was able to walk, it was

difficult for him to use steps,

particularly on his four

Super H tractors.

Jerry wanted to continue

farming. He contacted

Illinois AgrAbility Unlimited

for help.  

Because his Super H

tractors required Jerry to

access the operator's seat

from the rear, Jerry needed

additional steps that would

cover the axle to provide

safer entry and exit.

AgrAbility Unlimited

consulted with Jerry and

assisted with partial funding

for a set of steps for each

tractor.

With AgrAbility Unlimited's

support, Jerry continues to

recover and develop

solutions to continue

farming.

A CLIENT STORY

3

Diabetes is the seventh

leading cause of

death in the U.S.

Having diabetes can change

your life in many ways, but  it

should not force you to stop

farming. It is important to

honor and respect that this

condition will decrease

endurance and physical

tolerance, causing the onset

of fatigue easily.

So it's important to plan your

day accordingly to stay safe.

Consider planning your

workday around your meals

and snacks to maintain your

energy level. You can also set

reminders on your cell phone

or pack prepped meals in a

cooler that are ready to eat. 

Individuals with diabetes

are also more susceptible to

infection and disease, so it's

important to consider

things such as: protective

clothing, mobility aids, and

protruding objects, handles

and knobs wrapped in

foam.

It's also a great idea to

always have a cell phone on

hand in case of emergency,

as blood sugar levels can

fluctuate regularly and

quickly.

MANAGING DIABETES

78% of farmers believe they have hearing loss.

Everyday farm noises such as 

squealing pigs, tractors,

ventilation systems, and other

machinery can lead to hearing

loss over many years. This is why

it is extremely important to

block the noise with earplugs or 

ear muffs. You can also consider

purchasing the quietest

equipment available when it

comes time for a replacement

or adding sound insulation

inside of your barns.

If you already suffer from

hearing loss, be sure to take

these precautions to avoid any

further hearing damage in the

future. 

You could also consider hearing

aids to help ensure your safety

while completing your daily

chores. This will help you hear all

the buzzes, beeps, and bells that

are important in your every day

tasks, and even ensure you hear

warning alarms in the event of

an emergency. 

AND SAFETYHEARING LOSS

5

ARTHRITIS54 million adults have doctor diagnosed arthritis.

It is extremely common

for farmers to develop

arthritis over time as a

result of the physical labor

demanded of the

industry. Although there

is no sure way to prevent

it

completely, maintaining a

healthy weight, not

smoking, and eating a

healthy diet are great

ways to start if your joints

are healthy at this time.

If you are already

diagnosed or feel you may

have arthritis, there are

some regular practices to

manage your symptoms

while working.

Arthritis progression can be

reduced or even stopped with

the help and support of

healthcare professionals such

as a rheumatologist,

occupational therapist,

pharmacist, nurse, and

physical therapist.

These professionals can help

you implement new ways of

working on the farm that will

help you avoid any further

injury while working. 

FARMING WITH

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Regular Heat / Cold

Treatments

Exercising when doing

many sedentary farming

tasks

Sleep, Rest & Pacing

Yourself

Taking your Prescribed

Medication

Coping with Stress in a

Healthy Emotional way

Simplifying your Work

Process for Regular Tasks

Manage arthritis by

Almost two thirds of

adults in the U.S. with

arthritis are of working

age.

There are many ways to

simplify your work process

with arthritis.

Some of these include

organizing your day by most

important to least important

tasks, alternating difficult

with less difficult tasks,

transporting tools by cart

instead of carrying, and

wrapping foam around tool

handles for ease. AgrAbility

Unlimited can help you

identify appropriate assistive

technology.

Have you been diagnosed with arthritis? Commit to your treatment!

Want more information?

AGRABILITY UNLIMITEDagrabilityunlimited.org hello@agrabilityunlimited.org  833-810-7973

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CONTINUE THE FAMILY TRADITION WITH US.