Mobility screening in the elderly and resulting referral.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Primary Care
• Public Health

Background:

• Mobility limitations are a significant concern for older adults.
• Assessing mobility is crucial for maintaining independence in the elderly population.
• The Royal College of General Practitioners' (RCGP) mobility screening questionnaire's utility in Irish general practice was previously unevaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the RCGP mobility screening questionnaire's effectiveness in Irish general practice.
• To determine the prevalence of mobility issues among individuals aged 75 and above in Ireland.
• To identify potential gaps in physiotherapy services.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire screening survey was conducted across six geographically diverse Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) faculty areas.
• A random sample of 627 individuals aged 75 years or older participated.
• The RCGP mobility screening questionnaire was administered by general practitioners, with interventions also recorded.

Main Results:

• 92% of participants could independently navigate their homes, and 78% could manage stairs independently.
• A walking stick was the most common mobility aid, used by 27% of participants.
• Mental impairment was strongly linked to difficulties with in-house mobility, with 86% of those not independent scoring below 8 on the Abbreviated Mental Test Score.

Conclusions:

• The RCGP mobility screening questionnaire is a practical and effective tool for identifying mobility problems in older adults within Irish general practice.
• Findings suggest potential deficiencies in physiotherapy service availability in certain regions.
• The study highlights the association between cognitive function and mobility in the elderly.