Impaired physical mobility in elderly: related factors and defining characteristics

The present exploratory study aims at estimating the occurrence of the Nursing Diagnosis "Impaired Physical Mobility' in elderly who live in a home institution in the city of Goiania, Goiás. The study was carried out from December 1999 to February 2000. The collection of data was done through interviews, observations, physical exam and information obtained from the professionals who assisted the elderly. Sixty patients ranging from 60 to 105 years were the subjects of this study. Results showed 100% of the elderly were impaired regarding physical mobility. This impairment was generally related to muscular-skeletal-weakness (76.7%), reduced muscle resistance and strength (61.7%), neuro-muscular weakness (55%), besides perceptional or cognitive damage (53.3%). The most frequent defining characteristics were: decreased flexibility (96.7%), jeopardized articulations (96.7%), and inability to move in a physical environment (83.3%).