Elderly Mobility Scale

I am writing on behalf of the Fife Care of the Elderly Clinical Effectiveness Forum (Scotland). We have been using the Elderly Mobility Scale for some time,and are currently trying to standardise its use. We currently use the scale as it was given to us by the original developer of the scale. This differs from the published version in that the scores in the Functional Reach section are from 10-20cm and over 20cm, as opposed to 8-16cm and over 16cm in the published version. Does anyone else use this version?? We would value any comments on the scale and its standardisation.
Thanks
Janet

We have just started using the elderly mobility scale, but are using the published version (8-16, 16 and over).How do you administer the standing balance test?

I am looking for an easy to use scale for mobility assessments in acute ward setting. I have not used elderly mobility scale before. Can you tell me who I could contact to obtain a copy of this scale. Thanks

Dear Janet,
I would like to use the elderly mobility scale for a group of patients I see back in India. Kindle e-mail me a copy of the updated version.
Thanks,
Veena

On the elderly care wards at my hospital we use the EMS on initial assessment and upon discharge to compare outcomes and useful for those readmitting patients to guage their progress. We use the published version 8-16cm and use a marked walking stick and ask them to lean forward with outstretched hands to measure. It depends on what type of Falls predictor you want to use. I personally have used varying test - depends on how rough and ready or quick you want them. n my experience the tests that are the most accuarate take longer and realistically time is limited so a maybe a rough quide of doing the 180 degree turn, the Get-Up-And-Go test, TUSS (Timed Unsupported Steady Stand) and 6m walk test may be sufficient.

Hi. As a working mother, I've been looking for a helper for my parents at home. I didn't need a nurse but just an elderly helper. The Almondbury Agency found me a perfect girl. She really helps them with housework, shopping, and everyday stuff !
http://www.elderly-help.co.uk/

They were great and the girl was lovely.

Nathalie

Hey,
In the context of my master thesis I am planning an intervention study with geriatric patients. A part of the assessment is the elderly mobility scale. I've been searching for a long time now, but I can't find any instructions on how to use this tool. For us, it's important to have a SOP, because the results must be reliable and easy to reproduce. Does anyone already have a SOP?
Any comments on your procedure of the EMS will be helpful.
Thanks!

Hi Nadja,
not quite sure what you need.
If you 'Google' the EMS, the first hit gives you a link for a download of the scale including instructions (CSP website).
Is this not sufficient? It is a rather easy scale to use.
What is SOP? Standard Operating Procedure? = outcome measure? What is it that you would like to measure - can you give us more specifics?
Cheers,
Fyzzio

Hi Fyzzio,

the manual you mentioned is too imprecise for the study I am planning. There is no explanation how to measure the items. The main problem I have is how to measure the functional reach. As far as I know, functional reach is measured by telling the patient to reach forward as far as possible without losing balance. All I need are some of your experiences. Where do I administer the measuring tape to assess the reach? Do you measure at all?
I hope these are not to stupid questions!

The scoring for each dimension of the EMS varies with points between 0 to 4 and the EMS goes up to a maximum of 20 points. A higher score indicates that a person can perform better.

- - - Updated - - -

EMS: I don't use it. Not specific enough for my assessments.
ELDERLY MOBILITY SCALE
Lying to sitting 2) independent, 1) needs help of 1 person, 0) needs help of 2 people or more
Sitting to lying 2) independent, 1) needs help of 1 person, 0) needs help of 2 people or more
Sit to stand 3) independent in under 3 seconds, 2) independent in over 3 seconds, 1) needs help of 1 person, 0) needs help of 2 people or more
Stand 3) Stands without support and able to reach, 2) Stands without support but needs support to reach, 1) stands but needs support, 0) stands only with physical support, e.g. help of another person
Gait 3) independent (including use of sticks), 2) independent with frame, 1) mobile with walking aid but erratic/ unsafe turning (needs occasional supervision), 0) needs physical help to walk or constant supervision
Timed walk – 6 meters 3) under 15 seconds, 2) 16 – 30 seconds, 1) over 30 seconds, 0) unable to cover 6 meters
Functional reach 4) over 16 cm, 2) 8 – 16 cm, 0) under 8 cm or unable


Functional Reach : yes, this is a very common and easy to use outcome measure; the beauty of it is that is has been validated for most of the common neurological presentations and for the general elderly population

Instructions from:http://www.rehabmeasures.org/PDF%20L...ach%20Test.pdf; the tape measure or measuring stick is taped to the wall

Functional Reach Test
General Information: The Functional Reach test can be administered while the patient is standing (Functional Reach) or sitting (Modified Functional Reach). Instructions should include leaning as far as possible in each direction without rotation and without touching the wall. Record the distance in centimeters covered in each direction. If the patient is unable to raise the affected arm, the distance covered by the acromion during leaning is recorded. First trial in each direction is a practice trial and should not included in the final result. A 15 second rest break should be allowed between trials.
Set-up: A yardstick and duck tap will be needed for the assessment. The yardstick should be affixed to the wall at the level of the patient’s acromion.

Functional Reach (standing instructions): The patient is instructed to next to, but not touching, a wall and position the arm that is closer to the wall at 90 degrees of shoulder flexion with a closed fist. The assessor records the starting position at the 3rd metacarpal head on the yardstick. Instruct the patient to “Reach as far as you can forward without taking a step.” The location of the 3rd metacarpal is recorded. Scores are determined by assessing the difference between the start and end position is the reach distance, usually measured in inches. Three trials are done and the average of the last two is noted.

But it is just one of many outcome measures used and certainly only useful for evaluating a person's static balance. Not more. :)

Hope this helps,
Fyzzio

Thats exactly what I needed!
Thank you so much, Fyzzio! :)