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 [email protected] 833-810-7973
OUR PROJECT PARTNERS
CONTINUE THE FAMILY TRADITION WITH US.