Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS)

Summary

What it measures:

Mobility, particularly in frail elderly people (Smith et al, 1994).

Target Population:

Older people in a hospital setting

EMS consists of 7 items (Smith, 1994), with different maximum scores set for different groups of items (Yu MSW et al, 2007):

Lying to sitting (maximum score=2)
Sitting to lying (maximum score=2)
Sit to stand (maximum score=3)
Stand (maximum score=3)
Gait (maximum score=3)
Timed walk (6 m) (maximum score=3)
Functional reach (maximum score=4)

Total maximum score=20

This test was identified by the Section on Geriatrics and Home Health for use in functional limitation reporting.

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