Health, Work, and Safety of Farmers Ages 50 and Older

Over half of America’s 1.9 million farms are operated by persons over age 55. Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the nation; the oldest age group in farming suffers disproportionately high mortality and morbidity rates. Results from this study indicate that farmers may have unique perspectives of health and the role that work plays in their health outcomes. Despite the perceived positive attributes of farm work, the nature of the work performed by this sample of 725 farmers indicates the continued performance of tasks that place them at high risk for injury. Because of the contextual nature of farm life, work modification counseling may be more beneficial for the aging farmer than abstinence from work. Examples are provided.