OTs improve mobility in aging agricultural workers

Occupational therapy (OT) students at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy continually demonstrate the critical role that OT can play in the health of rural Minnesotans. 

OTD Class of 2025 alumna Emily Udulutch recently completed her capstone project on mobility in aging farmers under the advisement of Dr. Corey McGee. She found that agricultural workers experiencing higher levels of pain use several, if not all, of the adaptive and self-care techniques listed on her survey— like attending physical and occupational therapy, frequent rest breaks, stretching, energy conservation— while they work. 

“My capstone was specifically on aging farmers, because that’s one of the biggest populations in agriculture right now. The average farmer is [about] 58 years or older, and that keeps increasing every year,” Udulutch said. “A lot of these farmers are going to start having mobility issues, issues getting on and off equipment, and just doing their jobs. Many farmers also tend to work past retirement age.” 

Udulutch recently underwent a training developed with the University of Minnesota Extension and AgrAbility, a national project aiming to “enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities” to foster their continued independence and success. Minnesota previously had an AgrAbility program, but it was discontinued. By learning more about the aging population of agricultural workers and the challenges they face day-to-day, Udulutch hopes to provide information and advocate for the re-implementation of an AgrAbility project in the state. 

“I think it's important to advocate for this program because it really does enhance the quality of life for farmers and agricultural workers in general, which [in turn] supports the economy and the success of rural America,” Udulutch said.

The two-day training educated attendees on assistive technology for farmers, such as exoskeletons and tech that makes it easier to get on and off farming equipment, as well as how to conduct assessments. The second day of training included visits to two different farms to perform assistive technology assessments. At one of the farms, managed by a father and son, the teenage son had a form of brain cancer and didn’t have equal strength on both sides of his body. Modifications to their tractors would allow him more independence as a farmer. 

The other farm was also managed by a father and son, both of whom had lost a limb. Training attendees recommended changing the doors and adding grab bars on the skid steer loader to make it easier to get in and out of, which would help the father keep his passion for farming alive as he continues to age, Udulutch said. She believes programs like Agrability can help immerse and train students on rural health care in addition to the tools and resources they provide to help agricultural workers maintain their independence.  

“There were people from all of these companies who have OT knowledge and people who have farm knowledge who came together to collaborate on how to connect Minnesota farmers with assistive technology and hopefully develop a new AgrAbility program,” Udulutch said. “There hasn't been [a program] for a while in Minnesota, and we're hoping to change that.”