Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS)
Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS; Smith 1994): seven mobility items summed to max 20.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Lying to sitting
- Independent
- Sitting to lying
- Independent
- Sit to stand
- Independent, over 3 seconds
- Standing and reach
- Stands without support but needs help to reach
- Gait
- Independent with a frame
- Timed 6 m walk
- 16 to 30 seconds
- Functional reach
- 10 to 20 cm
Result: EMS 14 of 20 — independent in basic ADLs (generally safe for home).
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What the result means
- 14-20
- Independent in basic ADLs, generally safe for home.
- 10-13 / < 10
- 10-13 borderline (needs some help); under 10 dependent (needs help with basic ADLs).
What you enter
- Lying to sitting (points)
- Sitting to lying (points)
- Sit to stand (points)
- Standing and reach (points)
- Gait (points)
- Timed 6 m walk (points)
- Functional reach (points)
How this is calculated
- Items
- lying-sit (0-2), sit-lying (0-2), sit-to-stand (0-3), standing/reach (0-3), gait (0-3), timed 6m walk (1-3), functional reach (0/2/4) = 0-20.
Smith R. Validation and reliability of the Elderly Mobility Scale. Physiotherapy. 1994;80(11):744-747. Further validation: Prosser L, Canby A. Clin Rehabil. 1997;11(4):338-343. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.