Association between Functional Mobility and Activities of Daily Living among Older Adults attending Outpatient Rehabilitation

Aging leads to progressive declines in muscle strength, balance, and coordination, resulting in reduced functional mobility and difficulty performing Activities of Daily Living (ADL) among older adults. Declining mobility increases dependency, fall risk, and reduces quality of life. Functional mobility and ADL are closely interrelated, and early identification of limitations allows targeted physiotherapy interventions. Outpatient rehabilitation plays a key role in improving physical function through strength and balance training. However, limited Indian studies have explored this relationship,Functional mobility and ADL are closely interrelated components that collectively determine an individual’s ability to live independently. Early identification of mobility limitations allows physiotherapists to implement targeted interventions aimed at improving physical performance and delaying functional decline. Outpatient rehabilitation plays a vital role in maintaining and restoring physical function in older adults through structured exercise programs that emphasize balance, strength, and endurance training.Aim of the study is to find out the Association between Functional Mobility and Activities of Daily Living among Older Adults Attending Outpatient Rehabilitation There is a growing demand for evidence-based physiotherapy interventions that improve the quality of life among early older adults. Assessing both functional mobility and ADL provides a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s physical capabilities and level of independence. This study will help identify the degree of functional limitation among older adults in an outpatient setting and assist in designing effective rehabilitation plans to promote functional independence.This study employed a non-experimental, cross-sectional observational design. A total of 75 participants were selected using convenient sampling. The study was conducted over a period of two months at the outpatient department of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur.Functional mobility will be assessed using the Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS), which includes seven tasks such as transfers, standing, walking, and reach. Each task is scored from 0 to 2 according to EMS guidelines, with a total score out of 20. Higher scores indicate better mobility and independence, while lower scores reflect reduced mobility or dependency. Participant safety will be ensured through supervision and assistance during assessment,Activities of Daily Living will be assessed using the Bayer Activities of Daily Living Scale (B-ADL), completed by a caregiver familiar with the participant’s daily routine. The scale consists of 25 items rated on a 10-point scale (1 = never impaired, 10 = always impaired). A mean score will be calculated by dividing the total score by the number of completed items. Higher mean scores indicate greater functional impairment in daily activities