Last updated on August 25th, 2024 at 02:58 pm
Do farmers or ranchers really retire? Family operations frequently include aging parents, the living legends of agriculture. Farmers and ranchers self-identify good health with the ability to work. The normal aging process slows down one’s ability to engage in meaningful activities physically and mentally, essential to continue working. Add in postmenopausal issues experienced by the female farmer, and a myriad of health hazards arise. Unlike men, who experience a gradual loss of bone mass as they age, women will lose over 30% of their bone mass in the first five years after menopause.
Agriculture is a hazardous and uncertain profession. Women are working well past the age of menopause. Training measures should focus on avoiding common risk factors and preventative actions to decrease the likelihood of an injury. Workplace and home safety are achievable. We will also address other age-related changes such as vision, hearing, and sleep disturbance. Every member of the family operation will benefit from learning creative strategies and solutions to help aging-in-place seniors achieve wellness and self-fulfillment.
