The Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) is a quick, 20-point assessment of mobility in frail older adults. Seven tasks cover bed mobility, standing up, standing balance, walking, walking speed and functional reach.
It was developed by Smith in 1994 for elderly inpatients and is widely used in hospital and rehabilitation settings to plan discharge and decide how much help someone will need at home.
Zdrovia: https://www.zdrovia.ca/resources/elderly-mobility-scale/
Mobility Assessment
Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) Calculator
Score the seven mobility tasks for a total out of 20 and the level of help the person is likely to need at home.
Total score
0 of 7 items scored
Score every item to see the result
Item breakdown
These results are estimates based on published clinical data and are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Consult a licensed aesthetic practitioner before beginning any treatment. Individual results vary.
Zdrovia's smart blocks drop validated scales into the visit note, keep every item score, and graph the total across visits so the trend is visible at a glance. See how smart blocks work →
Elderly Mobility Scale scoring
| Task | Scores |
|---|---|
| Lying to sitting | 0 help of 2+ · 1 help of 1 · 2 independent |
| Sitting to lying | 0 help of 2+ · 1 help of 1 · 2 independent |
| Sitting to standing | 0 help of 2+ · 1 help of 1 · 2 independent over 3 s · 3 independent under 3 s |
| Standing | 0 needs support · 1 supported, needs help to reach · 2 unsupported, needs help to reach · 3 unsupported, reaches independently |
| Gait | 0 unable / help of 2+ · 1 help of 1 · 2 independent with aid · 3 independent without aid |
| Timed walk (6 m) | 0 unable · 1 over 30 s · 2 16–30 s · 3 under 15 s |
| Functional reach | 0 under 10 cm · 2 10–20 cm · 4 over 20 cm |
Interpretation
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 14–20 | Independent: safe with basic mobility, usually independent in daily activities |
| 10–13 | Borderline: safe for some manoeuvres, needs help with others |
| Under 10 | Dependent: needs help with basic mobility |
Score it straight into the chart
Zdrovia's smart blocks drop validated scales into the visit note, keep every item score, and graph the total across visits so the trend is visible at a glance.
How to administer the EMS
Start with the patient lying in bed, move to sitting and standing, then walking. Time the walk over 6 metres with a stopwatch, using the patient's usual walking aid. For functional reach, stand the patient side-on to a wall with the arm raised to 90° and measure how far forward they can reach without stepping.
Using the score
The EMS is designed for frail patients, so it is more sensitive at the lower end than tools like the Berg, and quicker to complete. It has a ceiling effect in more active older adults, for whom the Berg or a gait measure is more informative.
Assessing balance: Berg Balance Scale calculator →
References
- Smith R. Validation and reliability of the Elderly Mobility Scale. Physiotherapy. 1994;80(11):744–747.
- Physiopedia: Elderly Mobility Scale.
Other clinical assessment references