title: Health and safety needs of older farmers: part I. Work habits and health status.
abstract: Farming is an occupation that blends the work and home environments and traditionally involves active participation of all family members, including older farmers. The work patterns of older farmers, including typical work hours, range of activities, and health status, are not well documented. This study, surveying a random sample of older Illinois farmers (N=87), focused on these gaps in the literature. Older farmers were found to work long hours in many farm tasks, more than would be expected in other occupational groups. Further, older farmers were found to have several chronic diseases at higher rates than the general population of the same age and gender; mental health implications were also identified. Rural occupational health nurses are in an optimal position to positively impact older farmers' mental and physical health status.
authors.affiliation: Highland Community College, Freeport, USA.
authors.forename: Shannon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lizer
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Petrea
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D007587:Job Description; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017751:Safety Management; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data