A new program from the University of Illinois and the University of Iowa is offering support to farm families dealing with dementia in rural America. The initiative, called Farm Families Coping with Dementia, provides a free, online educational series tailored to the unique challenges faced by rural caregivers and aging agricultural workers.
The program covers essential topics such as the basics of dementia, farm safety considerations, strategies to improve safety, and caregiving and communication methods. Julie Bobitt, lead researcher on the project and professor from the University of Illinois, emphasizes the heightened risk for farmers.
“About a third of agricultural workers are over the age of 65, and unlike other occupations where people retire from that environment, farmers are going to retire to their the same environment. They’re going to stay in their occupational environment and their living environment. So they may also still stay, even if they officially retire, actively involved in activities on the farm,” says Bobitt. “The other thing is, rural areas tend to have fewer resources available, and, even if there are some resources, such as support groups or educational programs, they are harder to get to and take the time away from either caregiving or duties on a farm to be able to attend.”
For more information on the Farmers Coping with Dementia Program, call 319-384-3817.
