CULTIVATING ACCESSIBLE AGRICULTURE
Understanding the National AgrAbility Project
and the Impacts of Arthritis as a Disability in
Agriculture
Amber D. Wolfe, B.S.
AgrAbility Project Coordinator
Arthritis Foundation
AgrAbility is a USDA-sponsored program that assists farmers,
ranchers, other agricultural workers, and family members
impacted by disability.
AgrAbility addresses a wide variety of
disabling conditions in agriculture,
including, but not limited to:
NAP Management
Purdue University, Dr. William Field
Breaking New Ground Resource Center
Ag and Biological Engineering Building
225 South University Street
West Lafayette IN 47907
800-825-4264
www.agrability.org
•Arthritis
•Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
•Back impairments
•Amputations
•Head/Brain injury
•Visual impairments
•Hearing impairments
•Disabling diseases
•Cerebral palsy
•Respiratory impairments
AgrAbility began with the 1990 Farm Bill and has just recently
celebrated its 20 year anniversary! Over 13,000 farmers have
been given assistance in the past 20 years!
• NAP Management- Purdue University
– Partners- Purdue University’s Breaking New Ground Resource Center, the
Arthritis Foundation-Indiana Chapter, Goodwill Industries International, and
the University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana (ending Aug. 31, 2012)
– State Projects partner a land-grant university and a non-profit disability
organization
• Recent Updates
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25 State Projects
Farm Assessment Trainings for VR, OT, PT and Extension Staff
International Society for Farm Safety and Health- AgrAbility Track
Website- www.agrability.org
AgrAbility Harvest Newsletter
Annual National Training Workshop- Scholarships
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United
States. About 41 percent of persons with arthritis
have limited activities due to their joint symptoms.
About one-third of all farmers (est. 960,000 on 2 million
farms) in this country have some form of arthritis
that hinders them from doing daily chores because
of either stiffness or pain in the joints.
Many agricultural workers do not know they may be at
risk of developing osteoarthritis.
With the average age of the American farmer climbing
above 57, increasingly more farmers will find tasks
difficult to complete.
*Data from the National Safety Council, 2004
The mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives
through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of
arthritis and related diseases.
The Indiana Chapter of the Arthritis
Foundation:
Arthritis Foundation, IN Chapter
Amber Wolfe
AgrAbility Project Coordinator
615 N. Alabama Street, Suite 430
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-879-0321, extension 212
800-783-2342
awolfe@arthritis.org
www.arthritis.org
•Trains instructors in “Life
Improvement Series” programs
•Tai Chi, Aquatics, Exercise, and
Self-Help programs
•Holds public education forums to
increase arthritis awareness
•Secures funding for research
•Provides information at health fairs
•Conducts presentations and
community outreach programs
•Partners in the Indiana and
National AgrAbility Projects
Arthritis Defined…
The term arthritis refers to an “inflammation of
a joint”. It is used to refer to over 100
rheumatic diseases that are characterized by
problems in and around joints.
The inflammatory types of arthritis cause
systemic problems, such as fatigue, that
interfere with the physical work that is
necessary in the business of farming.
Rheumatic Diseases/
Autoimmune Diseases
The body attacks itself (joints)
causing inflammation, pain and
degeneration of the connective
tissue. Most are chronic and
have no cure.
Arthritis: A Nation In Pain
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50 Million people in the US have doctor
diagnosed Arthritis.
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Osteoarthritis- 27 million
Rheumatoid Arthritis- 1.3 million
Gout- 3 million
Fibromyalgia- 5 million
Other Forms- 13 million
• Lupus, Tendonitis, Bursitis, Spinal
Stenosis, Hip Dysplasia,
Osteoporosis, Etc.
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More than half of the individuals who have
arthritis are younger than 65 years old.
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Nearly 300,000 children are affected by
arthritis.
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Affects women twice as often as men.
Signs and Symptoms
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Risk factors you cannot control:
– Age 65 +
– Gender
– Genetic/Family history
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Risk factors you can control:
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Excess weight
Joint injuries
Sports
Occupation
Persistent pain
– Early detection is key- if persistent
pain is for more than 2 weeks, see
a specialist (rheumatologist)
Stiffness, swelling, redness or heat
Difficulty performing daily activities
Difficulty moving the joint
Possible fatigue, weight loss, nausea
Osteoarthritis
Most Common Form Seen in Agricultural
Workers/Farmers/Gardeners/Ranchers
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Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear, or degenerative, arthritis
that generally affects weight-bearing joints or joints that
have been stressed or damaged by injury – usually the
back, hips and knees.
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Osteoarthritis is not a consequence of aging but rather a
metabolic change that results in the degeneration of
cartilage.
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Usually begins after age 40, but can be earlier depending
on the stress that has been placed on the joints
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Affects only certain joints, often affects joints on ONE side
of the body at first, but can affect multiple joints at once
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Usually doesn’t cause redness or warmth in a joint,
sickness, weight loss, fatigue, or fever (as with
Rheumatoid Arthritis)
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Affects the range of motion of the joint, pain/tenderness,
may cause some swelling
When A Farmer Has Arthritis
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Farmers and ranchers with arthritis are faced with many obstacles that limit
their ability to continue farming. Like farming, arthritis is often a 24-hour,
7-day a week occupation.
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As hard as it is for a farmer to change routine, life-style changes can be
beneficial. And not all change has to use technology. Technology is not
the cure all!
– Pain, fatigue, and stiffness are effects of arthritis that can limit a farmer and rancher in
a variety of ways.
– Arthritis may prevent farmers and ranchers from completing a specific task, hinder the
progress of daily activities, or even leave them feeling completely overwhelmed.
– From simple physical tasks – getting on the tractor, loading feed – to social activities,
arthritis can interfere with one’s life.
Arthritis Management
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Get a proper diagnosis- early detection
Work with a team of health care providers
Get proper exercise
Watch your weight and diet
Joint protection- body mechanics
Use assistive technologies- if appropriate
Manage stress and pace yourself- work simplification
Be educated- unproven remedies
On-Farm Assessment
1. Current Situation and Needs
2. Adaptive and Assistive Technologies
Agricultural Awareness
Common Occupational Risk Factors
and Sources of Joint Stress in Farming Situations
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Being over weight
Kneeling/Squatting/Climbing/Jumping (grain bins, ladders, milking, etc.)
Heavy Lifting (feed bags, water buckets, etc.)
Frequent Bending/Twisting/Turning (heights of weight benches, storage, tool locations, etc.)
Persistent awkward postures
Compression of weight bearing joints by lifting in awkward positions
Walking long distances over uneven ground
Driving for long periods of time (particularly with exposure to whole-body vibration) in
tractors and utility vehicles
Weather exposure – cold and hot
Vibrations from lawn care machinery, stress on joints from weed eaters, trimmers, etc.
Ranch work- horseback riding, roping, farrier work
Livestock care- chutes, medical attention, breeding
Repetitive forceful work is considered to both aggravate and accelerate
development of osteoarthritis and aggravate other forms of arthritis.
On-Farm Modifications
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Use proper body mechanics.
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keeping your feet shoulder width apart
bending at the knees/hips- keeping the back straight
carrying the weight as close to the body as possible
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Air suspension seats, shock absorption
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Permanent steps or lifts, extendable ladder
steps, raised milking parlors
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Shoulder slings, utility carts and vehicles,
ergonomic tools
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Blocks under bench legs, adjustable
seats/stools
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Livestock awareness, clear working areas
and pathways, chutes
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Anti-fatigue mats, proper footwear
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Proper mounting and lifting techniques
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Additional mirrors, adaptable handles and
controls
TRACTOR SIMPLE SOULTIONS
A
Problem: Tall steps and a lack of grab
bars can cause stress.
Solution: Adjust the height of your
step so it is lower to the ground and
add grab bars.
B
F
Problem: A lack of mirrors can result
in pain due to constant turning and
straining to see.
C
Solution: Adding mirrors can help
maintain a clear field of vision and
eliminate twisting and turning.
C
Problem: A high or uncomfortably
placed control panel can result in stiff,
painful joints.
Solution: When buying or replacing
equipment, look for comfortable,
natural positioning of controls.
D
Problem: Hitching and unhitching
heavy implements can cause joint
stress and pain.
Solution: Ask for assistance or
investigate automatic systems.
E
F
B
Problem: Front end weights can cause
pain when changing.
Solution: Seek assistance when
needing to adjust weights.
Problem: An uncomfortable seat can
cause back, neck and leg stress.
Solution: Consider purchasing an
ergonomic seat that reduces
pressure and vibration.
A
D
E
Risk for
secondary
injury with
homemade
AT…
be careful!
Arthritis Foundation
AgrAbility Projects and Resources
• Print Materials and Multimedia Materials
– Arthritis Pamphlets- Back Pain, Nutrition, Exercise, Managing Your Activities, Hot/Cold
Therapies, Children and Arthritis, More!
– Arthritis and Agriculture Booklet
– Plain Facts Booklet- Old Order Communities
– Gaining Ground on Arthritis DVD
– Spanish Fotonovela
• ¿Será la artritis la causa de mi dolor? (Is arthritis causing my pain?)
• Arthritis Community of Interest
• Public Service Announcements
• Arthritis and Ag Workshops, Community Education
– Gardening, Rural Youth- FFA/4-H
• “Growing Pains” Newsletter
• AARL Conference
Amber Wolfe
AgrAbility Project Coordinator, Arthritis Foundation-Indiana Chapter
615 N. Alabama Street, Suite 430 Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-879-0321, extension 212, 1-800-783-2342
awolfe@arthritis.org
www.arthritis-ag.org
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