Description

The Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) is an assessment tool designed to evaluate the mobility and autonomy of elderly individuals. This scale provides a systematic method for recording and monitoring the ability of older adults to perform basic and complex movements, as well as to carry out daily activities.

Purpose

The main purpose of the EMS is to assess the mobility of elderly individuals in order to:

Diagnosis and Monitoring: Assist in diagnosing mobility issues and tracking their progression over time.
Intervention Planning: Guide the development and implementation of personalized rehabilitation and intervention programs.
Improving Quality of Life: Identify areas in need of support to enhance autonomy and quality of life in older adults.

Scoring

The EMS typically includes various indicators that assess different aspects of mobility, such as:

Basic Motor Skills: Walking, standing up from a seated position, etc.
Complex Motor Skills: Ability to perform complex movements or combined tasks.
Autonomy Capability: Impact on the ability to perform daily activities.
EMS scoring is generally based on scales that allow for quantitative evaluation of results. Scores may range from full independence to severe mobility limitations.

Analysis

The analysis of EMS results allows for the assessment of fall risk, general mobility, and rehabilitation needs. Specifically, it can help identify particular areas that require intervention and assess the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches. Additionally, EMS outcomes can be used for comparative evaluation of progress between different patients or for comparing different rehabilitation programs.

References

Geriatric Physical Therapy by Mary E. M. Palmer – a book that includes information on physical therapy for the elderly.
Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine by M. R. L. C. Chatfield, et al. – includes chapters on assessment and rehabilitation of the elderly.
Scientific articles and publications focusing on mobility assessment, such as those published in journals like the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy.