October 13, 2011

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Health and safety issues for Kentucky’s aging farmers

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Rethinking your wardrobe in a down economy

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Making the most of Halloween

Health and safety issues for Kentucky’s aging farmers

Source: Deborah Reed, UK College of Nursing

Because farmers are exposed to multiple hazards throughout extended careers, physical problems can start early. To maintain health, Kentucky farm workers, whose average age is 57, higher than the average worker, must pay attention, particularly as they age, to issues caused by their way of life.

Risk of suicide. Farmers have the highest suicide rates of any occupation. Farmers are exposed to multifaceted stress and pressure. In addition to hard physical labor and long days throughout the year, a farmer must be able to endure the vagaries of nature and livestock, adverse weather conditions, market fluctuations, government policy changes, and family pressures. This unique, emotional pressure can be difficult to manage, and in some cases, it can lead to suicide.

Falls. Falls are one of the leading causes of death. It is important to note that most falls occur from the same level—“trips and slips” are the main danger. Being pushed by a cow, slipping in mud, falling on ice—mundane accidents that occur on the ground can cause injury, especially for an older person.

Hearing loss. Farm work routinely exposes farmers to damaging noises. For example, the ear which is turned to the front of the tractor, where the exhaust is loudest, will have greater hearing loss. Farm youth have more hearing loss than non-farm youth, which, because hearing loss is cumulative, is a hazard. As farmers age, they may not be able to hear important noises such as approaching machinery, verbal warnings, or people approaching them, increasing the danger to them and people around them.

Melanoma. Farmers often remove clothing to stay cool, so more skin is exposed to damaging sun. They don’t often use sunscreen and may not practice regular skin self-exams. Of special note are the tips of the ears. Many farmers wear baseball caps, which increase the sun exposure of the ears and back of the neck. Working without a shirt or in sleeveless tops also increases the risk of sun damage.

Cataracts. Repeated sun exposure from farming accelerates the risk of developing cataracts. Statistically, farmers are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and, other than professional fisherman, they have the highest rate of cataracts, largely because they do not wear protective sunglasses.

Preventative care. Farmers often ignore their own health and safety, adopting a fatalistic view that “it won’t happen to me.” They routinely skip vaccines such as tetanus infrequently visit doctors .

Compounding the physical issues is the fact that farming culture is unique, and therefore the way that doctors and nurses interact with and relate to farmers is important. Researchers are beginning to develop new guidelines to better screen and understand farmers, who have a strong cultural and emotional commitment to the farm that clinicians may not understand.

Sometimes, adjusting the screening questions can help doctors gauge a patient’s risk for an illness. For instance, over half of all farmers are bi-vocational. But often, only the non-farming job is reported to clinicians, which limits their ability to screen for certain farm-related illnesses and injuries.

Farmers often define health as the ability to work. In a lifelong profession that expects, reveres and upholds such commitment, careful health screenings and care are necessary to keep farmers working during their advanced years.

For more information, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

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Rethinking your wardrobe in a down economy

Source: Marjorie Baker, UK extension associate, textiles and clothing

As families face a new economic “normal,” they are shifting toward a cultural zeitgeist, perhaps permanent, that embraces financial conservatism. At home, this conservative behavior is illustrated by the rise in families who clip coupons, buy store brands, frequent discount stores, and delay purchases. Many family budgets now emphasize essential purchases, reducing debt and increasing savings, and limit treats and luxuries.

Clothing is not exactly a luxury, but it can eat up a large portion of a family budget. To save money, many people are rethinking the items in their closets to come up with creative ways to make clothes last and seem “new.” Basic repairs, maintenance and attentive care throughout the lifespan of a garment can extend it by many years.

Here are some tips:

Allow clothing to rest in between wearing, especially shoes. Shoes also benefit from cleaning before they are stored. Using a shoe tree will help maintain shape, which extends life. Store shoes in breathable cotton shoe bags or the cardboard boxes they came in, not plastic, which traps mold and mildew.

Air clothing after wearing it to let moisture evaporate and wrinkles relax. Airing also naturally helps to deodorize clothing. Minimize washing and dry cleaning to extend the lifespan of clothes. Invest in a clothes brush and try airing and brushing your garments to refresh them, particularly woolens. Wrinkled woolens can also be hung in a steamy bathroom, which will refresh them and eliminate any creases.

Properly store clothes, using appropriate hangers. Promptly remove the dry cleaner’s plastic bag. Leave closet doors open to promote airflow and leave room in each drawer, rather than stuffing it full. Leaving on a light in the closet can inhibit moths and mildew.

Get the most out of your clothes washer, using proper water temperatures and settings as well as the correct amount of detergent and whitener. Front-load washers are increasingly common, though still pricier than top-load washers. But, if you are in the market for a new one, front-loaders are energy efficient, use less water and help preserve clothes, since there is no agitation.

Remember to wash soiled clothes promptly to avoid letting stained or soiled areas become permanent. If you cannot wash immediately, treat stains promptly to prevent them from setting.

As for drying, consider installing a clothesline. You can use it to dry clean clothing as well as to air out woolens, quilts and rugs. It probably won’t take the place of your dryer, but it comes in handy for certain things.

Ironing is a skill, and one that practice makes perfect—or at least, better. Learning to iron can give you a significant savings if you forgo the dry cleaner. Choose “no wrinkle” shirts and easy care, wash-and-dry clothing. Many of these easy-care items can hang to dry, reducing use of the dryer—which lowers your utility bill.

Learn to mend clothing. Basic repairs and maintenance are quick and easy. Plus, sewing on buttons, snaps, and repairing tears or holes will save money.

Learn to sew. You will be able to reinvent your wardrobe, revamping collars, hems, sleeve lengths, and even turning shirts into skirts. Your imagination is the limit.

For more information, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

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Making the most of Halloween

Source: Deana K. Reed, extension specialist for 4-H youth development

As holidays go, Halloween ranks as one of the big events of the year. Over time, Halloween celebrations have changed, with a definite shift away from costumed kids walking through neighbors after dark with little to no supervision to the current emphasis on organized fall festivals and trick-or-treating during designated hours in business, community or downtown centers. This change also lessens the emphasis on overeating, since organized activities and sports, such as archery, are now part of some community festivities.

4-H plays a pivotal role in helping youth enjoy a safe and successful Halloween. Here are some tips:

Costumes, however spooky, creative or outlandish, must be safe. Be sure the costume has large holes so the child can see where he or she is going and breathe easily. Length, fit and comfort will make a costume more enjoyable, especially when worn for an extended period. Costumes should be flame resistant. Make sure any props are lightweight and safe. A princess weighed down by her wand or a knight in shining armor whose armor weighs a ton may be miserable and even sore well before night’s end.

An adult or responsible older sibling should accompany children to supervise and monitor them throughout the entire evening. Pay particular attention when trick-or-treating through neighborhoods, keeping an eye out for any unsafe or wayward behavior from other groups you may encounter. Carry a flashlight, wear reflective clothing so your group is visible, and stay close together.

Discuss appropriate behavior for children during Halloween celebrations, making a clear distinction that while spirits may run high, displays of vandalism and hooliganism are inappropriate. Also be sure children know to be courteous and polite when accepting treats. “Please” and “thank you” are never inappropriate, and in fact, are necessary. Good manners upon receiving treats reward the investment the host has made to make the holiday special.

Candy overload can be avoided by placing less emphasis on accumulating the biggest pile during trick-or-treating and more on other activities, such as pumpkin-carving and social activities and games.

Remember that an adult should look over candy to ensure that it is safe before it is eaten. After you have carefully inspected the candy, offer your ghosts and goblins the opportunity to trade in pieces of candy for coins or a toy. Even Halloween treats should be eaten in moderation.

For more information on enjoying a safe Halloween, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

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