Participation in farming & ranching improves health:“If I really get bad health I’ll be forced to quit, but we’re physically in fairly decent shape and I like what I’m doing, and I feel if I keep doing it I’m gonna stay healthier.” Nathan, 72 

"We have always been striving for something all the time and that is what keeps you going and keeps you healthy." Joe, 70  Independence supports quality of life:“I’ve been very lucky throughout my life. I’ve done a lot of different things and uh, I never did find anything that was as satisfying as being out here, by yourself.” John, 80  “…to me, {quality of life} is just that you don’t have to be under medication or doctors care and you can kind of do what you want to” Bill, 75  Adaptation is necessary for success:“I go to classes in the winter time cause there wasn’t much to do...try and learn something. More about the chemicals and so on, so you can put that to use in the summertime.” Roger, 83  “{My amputation} affects probably anything I would say. Everything a person does, you have to change….The year I had the injury...I had the switches on the floor or buttons to raise and lower the header, and raise and lower the reel. Then I did the same thing in the swather, hay machine...” Michael, 37

Farming & ranching is tied to identity:"I want to be out there in it. I don’t do it for the money, I do it because I'm a farmer I guess." Roger, 83 

"Well, if you're not into getting rich, you can’t beat it. I'm not very good at explaining it; I wouldn’t have it any other way. It's surely in my heart." David, 77

 "I was born into this so I really...don't know anything else. I've started some other businesses...I think I could get by without farming...but my soul's tied to the dirt." Sam, 54

A person's perception of their health and how it impacts their ability to participate in chosen occupations may shape their perceived quality of life (QoL). The recommendations a healthcare provider makes with the intention of improving health or preventing decline may include advice relating to participation in occupation. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to understand the lifestyle, beliefs, and values of the populations they treat. With this information, healthcare workers will be better able to assess QoL and as a result make valid and meaningful recommendations to improve health and wellbeing.

Background

The purpose of this study is to collect data from farmers and ranchers who have conditions of aging, chronic health issues, or disabilities and how they perceive their QoL. The data will be used to describe the phenomenological perceptions of health and quality of life among our sample of farmers and ranchers.

Purpose

Thirteen farmers and ranchers who have conditions of aging, chronic health issues, or disabilities  participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews to learn more about their perceptions of quality of life in the context of agriculture. Participants were discovered through contacts in agricultural organizations. Each interview was recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using an inductive and deductive (integrated) thematic approach.

Methods

Twelve codes were established to organize the data by topic : -Advice to other farmers/ranchers                       -Beliefs about the future                                    -Description of quality of life -Barriers to preferred occupations                       -Communication with healthcare provider     -Description of daily life-Reasons for becoming a farmer/rancher            -Perception of own health                                -Value about farming/ranching                              -Changes that have occurred                                  -Issues with aging, chronic health                    -Do not value about                                                      on the farm/ranch                                      conditions, and aging                      farming/ranching  

Results

Conclusion

The themes discovered in this research hold important implications for practice with this population. •        Farmers and Ranchers who are determined to continue to work on their land as long as possible should be encouraged to make adaptations for safety.•        The occupations of farming and ranching are believed to be health promoting by this population and should be utilized when treating these individuals.•       Respect the value of farming and ranching and how the activities involved contribute to health and wellbeing. •        Health care providers should use a strength-based approach to promote independence and provide services that are meaningful. •        Farming and Ranching is more than an occupation for these participants; it is a way of living and is tied to identity.  Assessment of QoL should be conducted based on this lifestyle, unique living and working context, and the factors that impact it.  

ReferencesCreswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.Mertens, D. M. (2010). Transformative mixed methods research. Qualitative Inquiry, 16(6), 469-474. doi: 10.1177/1077800410364612Pothier, D., & Devlin, R. (Eds.) (2006). Critical disability theory: Essays in philosophy, politics, policy, and law. Vancouver, B.C.: UBC PressRocco, T. S. (2002). The invisible people: Disability, diversity and issues of power in adult education. Retrieved from https://scholarworks. Iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/414/Rocco T. pdf?sequence=1Image: https://earthstonestation.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/new-mexico-007.jpg

Geneva Nolan MOTS & Myra Peel MOTSResearch Advisor: Carla Wilhite OTD, OTR/L

A Phenomenological Study of Farmers’ or Ranchers’ Quality of Life Perceptions Who Have Conditions of Aging, Chronic Health Issues, or Disability

Table 1: Demographics  Pseudonym  Age  Gender  Location  Primary 

Agricultural Production 

Aging Issues 

Chronic Health Issues 

Disability Issues 

     Michael  37  M  ND  F-Grain  NO  NO  YES 

     Sam  54  M  NM  R-Cattle  NO  YES  NO 

     Lou  54  M  NM  F-Hay  NO  YES  NO 

     Chris  58  M  NM  R-Cattle  NO  YES  NO 

Curtis  65  M  NM  R-Cattle  NO  YES  NO 

Cathy  65  F  NM  R-Livestock  YES  NO  NO 

     Joe  70  M  ND  R-Cattle  NO  YES  NO 

  Nathan  72  M  ND  F-Grain  NO  YES  NO 

     Gene  75  M  NM  F-Organic Produce 

NO  YES  NO 

     Bill  75  M  WY  R-Cattle  NO  YES  NO 

David  77  M  WY  F-Hay  YES  YES  YES 

     John  80  M  WY  R-Cattle  NO  YES  NO 

Roger  83  M        ND  F-Grain  NO  YES  YES 

 

Demographics

Six recurring themes from the coded data were identified and agreed upon:-Participation in farming and ranching improves health               -Relationship with nature is valued-Adaptation is necessary for success                 -The farm/ranch is an ideal environment to raise a family-Independence supports quality of life                                            -Farming & ranching is tied to identity

F= farm R= ranch

Valued relationship with nature

Caring for animals• Reciprocal• Commitment• Protecting life

Prefer farm/ranch to city• City: problems• Debt• Disconnected from nature

• Ignorance

Unpredictable force• Divine• Drought• Impacts QOL• Financial security

Working the land• Stewardship• Sensory experience• Smell of the dirt• Dirt under your fingernails

Raising crops• Sense of accomplishment

• Awe