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S.AG.E. - Not Just a Farm Problem |
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From Fall 1998 - Volume 1, Number 4 In the general population, falls are second only to motor vehicle collisions in causing serious injuries. As a person advances in age, his or her susceptibility of falling increases. Falls kill six times more people age 75 and older than age 65 - 74 (National Safety Council). As we age, it is common for the sense of balance to decrease, for perception of uneven surfaces to be worse, for reflexes to slow, and for there to be less muscle tone to react to changes. As the eyes age, they don't see the slight unevenness that can cause us to trip. Eyes need much more light to see the same as they did years ago and our eyes take longer to focus. Advancing age is often accompanied by arthritis, especially in dairy farmers. The weaker grip, slower movement, decreased mobility, and pain involved in grasping hand-holds or stepping over obstacles can cause a serious fall. Most young people know, or work with, an older person who has one or more of these natural, age-related conditions. Often the young farm worker can intervene and be instrumental in preventing a tragedy that could effect a family member or their own work. |
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