Nowadays, there is a great emphasis on the elderly mobility scale. Undoubtedly, mobility is the basis of an independent and high-quality life for all humans, especially senior citizens. As they age, physical limitations start to impact their daily lives.
So, the elderly mobility scale plays an important role in geriatric care. It allows healthcare professionals to access the mobility of senior citizens. Depending on the obtained data, they can determine if they need assistance for a healthy and dignified life. So let’s explore the importance of the elderly mobility scale. We will also talk about its relevance for senior citizens.
In simple terms, geriatric care is an important branch of healthcare. It focuses on the medical, emotional, and social needs of older adults, especially those aged 60-65 and above. It helps them to deal with worrisome health issues. It also enables them to lead an independent life as far as possible in old age.
Simply put, the elderly mobility scale (EMS) is an assessment tool. Healthcare professionals use it to evaluate the functional mobility of older adults, especially those who are weak or have physical disabilities. It can also be applied to younger individuals with mobility challenges.
The elderly mobility scale is reliable and quick. Healthcare professionals need just a bed, a chair, and a small space for walking to conduct the evaluation. Based on the results, they measure the physical function of older people. And, create personalized plans for their treatment. The elderly mobility scale also helps to determine the senior citizen discount age.
To determine the elderly mobility scale score, healthcare professionals give seven tasks to older people. They are-
Lying to Sitting– It is used to see older people’s ability to move from lying on a bed to sitting at the edge.
Sitting to Lying– It is the reverse of the first task. It is used to evaluate their control and strength.
Sitting to Standing- It is used to test their ability to stand from a seated position. It also helps to know leg strength and balance.
Standing to Sitting- It helps to check controlled movement back to a seated position.
Stand– It is used to see older people’s ability to maintain standing balance without support.
Walking- It is used to evaluate their walking speed, stability, and stride.
Timed Walk- Healthcare professionals conduct this assessment to see if the walking speed of older people in a particular time frame for a short distance (typically 6 meters). With it, they can also measure their endurance and coordination.
Remember, each task is scored. And, the maximum point is 20. A higher score means better mobility. On the other hand, a lower score indicated greater disability. Usually, the task lasts about 10-15 minutes.
0-9- Seniors need significant help with activities of daily living. They are more dependent on long-term care.
10–13- Borderline mobility. The individual needs some supervision and assistance for healthy living.
14-20- Senior citizens can perform basic activities of daily living. They need minimal supervision or help.
As explained earlier, mobility is very important for all humans. Decline in mobility leads to the arrival of many health issues. So, there are several advantages of the elderly mobility scale.
Early Detection of Mobility Decline
It is one of the main benefits of the elderly mobility scale. Healthcare professionals can easily detect early warning signs of mobility issues. Many older people don’t experience a slow decline in their ability to move. If not identified on time, it may lead to sudden falls, injuries, and loss of independent life. By evaluating specific tasks, caregivers can find the potential problems with seniors and take the necessary action.
Personalized Care Planning
Remember, every senior citizen needs personalized care based on their health and physical condition. With the help of the EMS output, healthcare professionals know the specific areas where they need support. For example, suppose a senior scores low in standing without support. In such a case, he might need physical therapy, assistive devices, or environmental adjustments. Star Capital ensures seniors get the required care and lead an active life to a great extent.
Tracking Progress Over Time
With the elderly mobility scale, caregivers can easily track a person’s progress during rehabilitation or recovery. For this, they conduct the EMS test regularly. Moreover, they compare the elderly mobility scale scores. It helps them know if the individual is making progress, maintaining the required level of mobility, or declining. Regular monitoring and honest evaluation enable caregivers to make informed decisions. As required, they can change care plans, add therapies, and introduce new support systems.
Support Safe Discharge Planning
Hospitals and rehabilitation centers use the elderly mobility scale to decide when and how a patient can return home safely. A low EMS score reflects the need for prolonged care and monitoring. On the other hand, a higher score means the person can work independently. And, there is no issue in discharging him. It reduces the risk of readmission and ensures the senior’s safety.
Reduction of Fall Risk
Remember, senior citizens are always prone to unexpected or accidental falls. By using the elderly mobility scale, healthcare professionals can examine their balance and ability to perform simple movements. If an individual scores low on walking or standing tasks, it indicates the need for additional care. Preventing falls saves lives. It also reduces the need for long-term care and care home/hospital stays.
Physiotherapists, nurses, and doctors often use the elderly mobility scale calculator to streamline the assessment process. They put observations and quickly calculate the total EMS score.
The elderly mobility scale is very important in geriatric care. It facilitates a standardized way to assess and improve mobility in senior citizens. By generating an accurate elderly mobility scale score, you can optimize personalized care for them. It ensures elderly people have a high-quality life and access to age-related benefits. Star Capital offers a helping hand when you look for a reliable entity to take care of your seniors. Contact us today and ensure the best living standards for them with our help.
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