This measure indicates the percentage of residents whose ability to move about, either by walking or using a wheelchair, in their room and the hallway near their room got worse since their last assessment.
A decline in physical activity may come with age due to muscle loss, joint stiffness, worsening illness, fear of injury, or depression. Residents who lose mobility may also lose the ability to perform other activities of daily living, like eating, dressing, or getting to the bathroom. In some cases, however, the decline measured may be temporary and due to a short-term illness the resident is experiencing at the time of the assessment.
A lack of movement affects the resident in many ways. It becomes difficult to participate in physical and social activities. Sleep quality can suffer. The risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or blood clots can increase. Depression and anxiety can worsen. Staying in one position, and constant pressure on the skin can increase the chance of pressure sores. It is important for residents to be as active as possible.
Nursing home staff can help residents move around more. For instance, they can encourage residents to take part in physical and social activities, or take them for regular walks if they need help. Most residents value being able to move about on their own and take care of themselves. It is important that nursing home staff encourage residents to do as much as they can for themselves and stay as active as physically possible. Some residents will decline in their ability to move about, even though the nursing home staff makes a good effort to keep them more active.