Concerns for Older Adults Working in Agriculture

AgriSafe Talking Total Farmer Health

Geriatric medicine focuses on healthcare for adults over the age of 65, and falls are a common and serious health concern for this population. Falls are often multifactorial, usually associated with a decline in someone’s cognitive or physical ability.

Every year, more than 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 fall at least once, but less than half tell their healthcare providers. The most effective way to lower fall risk is to have a fall screening with a healthcare provider and to come up with preventative measures and interventions. Contact your local community center or senior center for information on exercise, fall prevention programs, and options for improving home safety.

For more information on geriatric medicine, visit the American Geriatric Society’s website.

Learn more about falls in older adults, risk factors, prevention, and management by visiting the following sites:

• CDC’s page on older adult fall prevention
• MedlinePlus’s resources on falls and prevention
• CDC’s STEADI program and resources (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries)
• AgriSafe Networks resources on slips, trips, and falls for agriculture workers
• Home modification to make your home safer
• Home modification suggestions for older adults in rural areas
• Home modification suggestions for renters with disabilities
• Home modification suggestions for older veterans
• Elder fall prevention for Native Americans

Here are the links for the data referenced in this episode: age of agricultural producers, non-fatal injury data, and fatal injury data.

Sign up for the AgriSafe newsletter: https://www.agrisafe.org/newsletter/

View upcoming webinars: https://www.agrisafe.org/events/

Script Arranged by Laura Siegel and Lobna Ali

Hosted by Carey Portell

Edited by Joel Sharpton

Special Guests: Lobna Ali