mobility
Mobility
Question Received:
Response:
Are there any nursing assessment tools to assess a persons mobility and what are the hazards of immobility?
7th March 2025
Dr Mary Tinetti has developed an assessment tool called the Performance Orientated Mobility Assessment particularly for the elderly person who might be at risk of falling or who may have difficulty carrying out daily activities of living.
Abbruzzese, L.D. (2023) The Tinetti Performance Orientated Mobility Assessment Tool. American Journal of Nursing, 98(12), 16J -16L (December).
The hazards of immobility will depend upon the extent to which the person is immobile and the length of time over which they are immobile. The shorter the period of immobility the less the risks of complications. Age will also need to be taken into account. An elderly person is at greater risk than a younger person. Someone with chronic ill health is more vulnerable than some who has previously been fit. Generally speaking the hazards (complications) of immobility are:
Physical
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Skin breakdown skin breakdown (pressure sores) – particularly over bony prominences such as the ankles, hips, elbows, shoulders, and sacrum
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Infection – opportunistic infections involving the lungs and urinary tract
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Muscle wasting – particularly the voluntary musclesof the limbs
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Loss of appetite and dehydration – leading to the breakdown of body tissues
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Constipation – due to inhibition of digestion when exercise is reduced
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Altered sleep pattern
Psychological
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Withdrawal and possible depression
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Feelings of helplessness and despair with loss of self esteem
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Anger and frustration
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Resigned acceptance with feelings of indifference and lack of motivation.