Serving the Needs of Nebraska's Farm and Ranch Families Affected by Disabilities.
Contact Nebraska AgrAbility at 800-471-6425 or e-mail at neagrability@ne.easterseals.com
Check out what AgrAbility can do for Nebraska Farmers!
Rehabilitating Disabled Farmers and Ranchers: A Priority in Rural Nebraska
Occupational and physical therapists are invited to “Rehabilitating Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities.” The day-long seminar is planned for Wednesday April 25, 2018 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Nebraska Extension Gage County Office Meeting Room in Beatrice. It is sponsored by Nebraska AgrAbility, AOTA Continuing Education Units will be awarded for the seminar.
Most do not realize it, but when a farmer or rancher is discharged from care following an injury or serious illness, he or she is not only returning home, but is also returning to an industrial work site.
Occupational therapists, physical therapists, OT assistants and PT assistants can play an important role in preparing farmers and ranchers to return to their homes. When home includes the workplace, special considerations are needed to ensure a safe transition.
“Rehabilitating Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities” is designed to help these health care providers become more competent in their care to the agricultural population they see on a regular basis. Christine Hutchinson, PT, DPT, will be the lead instructor for the course. She is a physical therapist at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, Nebraska. She has advanced certification in geriatrics and is a credentialed clinical instructor. Nebraska AgrAbility staff will also teach portions of the seminar.
Pre-registration for the seminar is required by April 18, 2018. A complete agenda and registration materials is available here or by contacting Nancy Frecks, Nebraska
Extension Educator, (308) 334-5666, or nfrecks1@unl.edu.
Nebraska AgrAbility is a partnership of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and Easter Seals Nebraska.
Farmers - Prevent or Reduce Pain
Men and women in the farming population often experience pain during daily chores and throughout the day (low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, arthritis, and so on). One might say that pain is just "part of the job" when it comes to farming. However, this does not have to be the case.
There are countless things farmers can put into practice during their daily routines that can help prevent pain, or reduce it. Getting into the habit of stretching every morning is a great way to prepare the muscles for the physically-demanding chores farmers complete on a regular basis.
"Safe Lifting" is ensuring the body is in the proper position for lifting an object, such as a bag of feed or a pipe. Usually, when we're in a hurry, we just bend over and pick up something without giving a thought to whether we are keeping our backs safe.
You can download the daily stretching routine as well as safe lifting techniques by clicking on the links below.
If you have questions about these stretching exercises, or for further information regarding muscle and joint pain prevention, contact Anna Lewandowski at AnnaLewandowski@creighton.edu .
Nebraska AgrAbility Project
Since 1995 Nebraska AgrAbility has helped individuals with disabilities overcome barriers to continue in their chosen agricultural profession. The program collaborates with community professionals to:
- Modify farm and ranch operations
- Adapt equipment
- Increase farmstead accessibility
- Provide financial counseling
- Identify funding sources
- Coordinate community services.
- The National AgrAbility Project and its state programs are supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through a competitive grant process.
The National AgrAbility Project and its state programs are supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through a competitive grant process.
New! National AgrAbility YouTube Channel.
AgrAbility: It's About Hope! The USDA-sponsored AgrAbility Program serves farm families touched by disability. A disabling injury, illness, or lifelong disability can challenge anyone's hope, especially when the individual has been engaged in the physically demanding occupation of agricultural production. AgrAbility's mission -- for the last 20 years and into the future -- is to enhance and protect quality of life and preserve livelihoods, and support and promote growth and independence.
Nebraska AgrAbility is a joint effort of the University of Nebraska Extension and Easter Seals Nebraska. This material is based upon the work supported by the Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under special project number #2006-41590-03461.
