Mobility Issues and Limitations in Home Care
Published: 18 July 2024
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Published: 18 July 2024
There are many considerations to keep in mind when caring for a client who lives with impaired or limited mobility.
Mobility is closely tied to our sense of independence, but also our social connectedness, activity, and security (Health.vic 2015a). A person's wellbeing can be considerably compromised by a mobility restriction.
Mobility impairment can range from limitations of stamina to total paralysis (Illinois University Library 2023).
Often, a lack of functional mobility can contribute to health issues such as falls, incontinence, and malnutrition (Health.vic 2015a).
By encouraging and helping a client to achieve or regain mobility, the risk of the following decreases:
(Health.vic 2015a)
In a situation in which drastically reduced mobility results in bed rest, there is a heightened risk of additional health complications:
(Health.vic 2015a)
A client living with reduced mobility may find it difficult to carry out simple tasks and participate in activities without assistance.
It is important to ensure their home environment allows them to live as independently as they would like to.
The following are recommended as basic aids to assist a client to live independently at home:
(Better Health Channel 2015)
Functional mobility is the capacity to move from one position to another, enabling participation in everyday life.
Functional mobility includes:
(Health.vic 2015b)
Mobility restrictions and the use of gait aids can significantly impact a person’s ability to access their home and local area. This can cause difficulty maintaining and initiating social connections within their community (Health.vic 2015c).
Read: Understanding Mobility Aids
Mobility aids are pieces of equipment that facilitate movement for people who would otherwise be unable or limited in their attempt to move, or participate in or carry out a task. Mobility aids include:
(Better Health Channel 2023)
There are small changes that can be made to help a client living with a mobility restriction to move around. These include:
(CEC 2017; Independent Living Centre 2019; Health.vic 2015c; Gramenz & Dymock 2023)
Exercise programs may include strength, balance, functional retraining, and aerobic exercises (Health.vic 2015c).
The exercise undertaken by people with mobility limitations does not need to be strenuous. Exercise can even be performed through incidental activity - physical activity that occurs as part of a daily routine. Examples include:
(Health.vic 2015c)
As well as facilitating exercise, incidental activity is also beneficial in encouraging self-care (Health.vic 2015c).
These activities can be performed with supervision or assistance if required (Health.vic 2015c).
From 2021 to 2022 alone, over 233,000 people were admitted to the hospital after a fall (AIHW 2023).
It is important to note that most falls requiring hospitalisation occur in the home (AIHW 2023).
Despite this, falls are often preventable (Better Health Channel 2022).
Read: Minimising Falls Risk in the Home
A mobility impairment has the potential to severely impact an individual's wellbeing, causing isolation, fear of falling, increased bed rest, and dependency on others for simple tasks. Limited mobility can be navigated through accessible home environments, support, and exercise programs.
Question 1 of 3
Which one of the following is an example of incidental activity?