Several tools are available to assess mobility in the ambulatory setting .
Relatively few studies support therapeutic exercise to improve mobility limitation .
Strong evidence supports resistance and balance exercises for improving mobility-limiting physical weakness and balance disorders .
Addressing functional deficits and environmental barriers with exercise and mobility devices can lead to improved function , safety , and quality of life for patients with mobility limitations
IMPORTANCE Mobility limitations are common in older adults , affecting the physical , psychological , and social aspects of an older adult 's life .
OBJECTIVE To identify mobility risk factors , screening tools , medical management , need for physical therapy  , and efficacy of exercise interventions for older primary care patients with limited mobility .
Diabetes mellitus and incidence of lower body disability among older Mexican Americans.
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effect of diabetes mellitus on subsequent lower body disability in older Mexican Americans , one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States . The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between diabetes mellitus and incident lower body disability over a 7-year follow-up period . METHODS Ours was a 7-year prospect i ve cohort study of 1835 Mexican-American individuals > or = 65 years old , nondisabled at baseline , and residing in five Southwestern states . Measures included self-reported physician diagnosis of diabetes , stroke , heart attack , hip fracture , arthritis , or cancer . Disability measures  included  activities of daily living ( ADLs ) , mobility tasks , and an 8-foot walk test . Body mass index , depressive symptoms , and vision function  were also measured . RESULTS At 7-year follow-up , 48.7 % of diabetic participants nondisabled at baseline developed limitations in one or more measures of lower body function . Cox proportional regression analyses showed that diabetic participants were more likely to report any limitation in lower body ADL function ( hazard ratio [ HR ] = 2.05 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 1.58 - 2.67 ) , mobility tasks ( HR = 1.69 , 95 % CI , 1.39 - 2.04 ) , and 8-foot walk ( HR = 1.46 , 95 % CI , 1.15 - 1.85 ) compared with nondiabetic participants , after controlling for relevant factors . Older age and having one or more diabetic complications were significantly associated with increased risk of limitations in any lower body ADL and mobility task at follow-up . CONCLUSION Older Mexican Americans with diabetes mellitus are at high risk for development of lower body disability over time . Awareness of disability as a potentially modifiable complication and use of interventions to reduce disability should become health priorities for older Mexican Americans with diabetes
Several tools are available to assess mobility in the ambulatory setting .
Relatively few studies support therapeutic exercise to improve mobility limitation .
Strong evidence supports resistance and balance exercises for improving mobility-limiting physical weakness and balance disorders .
Addressing functional deficits and environmental barriers with exercise and mobility devices can lead to improved function , safety , and quality of life for patients with mobility limitations
IMPORTANCE Mobility limitations are common in older adults , affecting the physical , psychological , and social aspects of an older adult 's life .
OBJECTIVE To identify mobility risk factors , screening tools , medical management , need for physical therapy  , and efficacy of exercise interventions for older primary care patients with limited mobility .