A Longitudinal Study of the Effectiveness of the Mobility Checkup for Older Adults: Feasibility in the 'Year 1' Cohort

Healthy aging is defined as "the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age" and includes mobility. Mobility disability (i.e., the inability to walk 400 meters and climb a flight of stairs without assistance) is the most prevalent form of disability for older adults in the United States. Unlike blood pressure or body mass index, physical performance measures such as walking speed help identify and predict preclinical mobility disability, but are rarely used in routine medical care. This is a missed opportunity, particularly for older adults, who may experience a subtle decline in physical performance that leads to mobility disability.

The position of the American Physical Therapy Association is that all people should have an annual physical therapy visit to optimize movement and promote health, wellness, and fitness; and slow the progression of impairments of body functions and structures, activity limitations, and participation restrictions.

Recommendations support preventive care for maintaining mobility. However, a model of care specific to preventing mobility disability in older adults is not common practice. Evidence suggests routine screening can predict mobility disability in older adults and that activity-based interventions prevent it.

The is year 1 of a longitudinal study that will determine the feasibility of an effectiveness study of a Mobility Checkup, an annual preventive visit within a model of physical therapy care. The Mobility Checkup prioratizes educating older adults on the value of physical performance as an indicator of health and aims to maintain mobility and reduce mobility disability among participants. Ultimately, this new model of care could result in a cost-effective tool to establish baseline physical performance and identify and prevent preclinical and mobility disabilities in older adults.