Preserving Physical Mobility
Decline in physical mobility is a common problem in the nursing home setting. As chronic disease progresses, mobility loss may not be prevented. Often times though, mobility loss occurs prematurely due to substandard nursing care. Residents that suffer from a decline in range of motion may not move in and around their room very much and may not take part in activities. Decline in mobility can lead to increased risk of incontinence, pressure sores, and joint contractures.
What are the risks factors for decline in mobility?
- Muscle loss
- Untreated or under treated depression
- Fear of falling
- Joint stiffness
- Uncontrolled pain
- Failing to provide needed range of motion exercises
- Failing to ambulate residents who can ambulate
- Side effects of medications that cause stiffness or weakness in the extremities or mental confusion
What are the consequences of decline in mobility?
- Sleep problems
- Risk of blood clots
- Pneumonia
- Deconditioning
- Depression
- Risk of other diseases
Questions you can ask the nursing home related to decline in resident mobility:
- How many residents do not take part in activities due to decline in mobility?
- What does the nursing home do to encourage residents to participate in physical activity?
- What does the nursing home do to encourage residents to participate in social activity?
- What services does the nursing home provide to residents to promote physical activity?
- What rehabilitative care does the nursing home provide to residents to promote social activity?
- Does the nursing home have an active restorative care program?
- What is the nursing home's walking program?
- How is the doctor involved in persons who decline in mobility?
Resources
Alessi Ca, Yoon EJ, Schnelle JF, Al-Samarrai NR, and Cruise PC. (1999). A randomized trial of a combined physical activity and environmental intervention in nursing home residents: Do sleep and agitation improve? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society; 47:784-791.
Bates-Jensen BM, Schnelle JF, Alessi CA, Al-Samarrai NR, and Levy-Storms L. (2004). The effects of staffing on in-bed times of nursing home residents. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society; 52:1-8.
Schnelle JF, Bates-Jensen BM, Levy-Storms L, Grbic V, Yoshii J, Cadogan M, and Simmons SF. (2004). The Minimum Data Set Prevalence of Restraint Quality Indicator: Does it Reflect Differences in Care? The Gerontologist; 44(2):245-255.
Simmons SF and Schnelle JF. (2004). Effects of an exercise and scheduled-toileting intervention on appetite and constipation in nursing home residents. Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging; 8(2):116-121.
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