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.