Parkinson’s Awareness Month: Raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease

PEOSTA, Iowa — April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month — a time to learn about the disease and how it impacts people.

“We currently have 1 million people in the U.S. living with Parkinson’s disease,” said Tara Haskins, total farmer health director at AgriSafe. “Every year about 60,000 people are diagnosed. We tend to see more cases in males than females.”

People in rural areas may not have easy access to movement disorder specialists.

It’s crucial for rural healthcare providers and agricultural professionals to be aware of the disease and how it can affect farmers.

“Telemedicine is especially valuable to people with Parkinson’s disease living in remote, rural and underserved areas,” The Parkinson’s Foundation website says.

“It gives them the ability to consult specialists they would otherwise have to travel hours to see. The technology can save people time, money and effort, while allowing them to remain comfortable.”

Simple changes can decrease the risk for injuries and make life easier.

Small adaptations include:

• Remove or level threshold strips between doorways.

• Create half steps to make large steps smaller.

• Install a second banister to a staircase or ladder.

• Use thin non-slip rugs in common work areas.

• Make sure your workbench, or any working space, is at an ergonomic level.

• Switch faucets and doorknobs to ones that are easier to grasp.

• Use raised chairs that are easier to get in and out of.

• Declutter floors to make sure pathways are clear to walk through.

Large adaptations include:

• Install ramps to eliminate the use of stairs.

• Resurface the working space terrain to concrete or tar.

• Add more lighting to low-lit areas.

If you have Parkinson’s, talk to your doctor about the challenges you encounter on the farm. It’s common to be referred to an occupational therapist who can assess your home or workplace.

Learn more at www.parkinson.org.

What Is It?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive movement disorder where symptoms become worse over time and can affect the ability to perform common daily activities. It is characterized by three motor symptoms: tremors, stiffness or rigidity of the muscles and slowness of movement.