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Frailty and Elder Care Network

The Frailty and Elder Care Network enhances care for older adults in Nova Scotia, particularly those living with frailty - a condition that increases a person's vulnerability, which can lead to greater risk of adverse health outcomes.

What is the Early Mobility Program?

Maintaining mobility during hospitalization is important for older adults for several interconnected reasons:

  • Prevention of Functional Decline and Frailty: Older adults in hospital typically spend more than 83% of their time in bed, which leads to rapid deconditioning, muscle loss, and weakness. This functional decline can begin within just 48 hours of admission and is often difficult to reverse, resulting in increased frailty and reduced quality of life.
  • Reduced Risk of Complications: Immobility increases the risk of unintentional hospital harm such as pressure injuries, blood clots, increased risk of falls, and cognitive decline. Patients who maintain their mobility during an acute hospitalization are more likely to prevent hospital harm, maintain their independence, return home sooner avoiding long-term care placement and prevent readmission.
  • Improved Mental Health and Social Well-being: Mobility supports not just physical health, but also emotional and social well-being. It helps prevent depression, delirium, and loss of confidence, by fostering connections, enhancing mood, and supporting independence.

Early Mobility Program (EMP)

To support the benefits of mobilization in hospital, the Frailty and Elder Care Network (FECN) sponsored and assisted with implementation of Early Mobility Programs (EMP) at nine regional sites. EMP is a provincial program designed to deliver timely, targeted, and purposeful mobility interventions for older adults living with frailty who are at the highest risk of functional decline due to immobility during hospital stays. This program ensures that at-risk patients begin mobilization within the first 48-72 hours of admission, with mobilization sessions offered up to three times daily, seven days a week. The goal is to support older adults living with frailty in maintaining their function and facilitating their return home.

PACE Pre-mobility Check

Prior to moving a patient, remember to PACE yourself by doing a pre-mobility check. PACE stands for:

  • Physical
  • Agitation/Aggression
  • Communication
  • Environment

These courses are available on the Nova Scotia Health Learning Management System (LMS):

  • Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Course 1: PACE Pre-Mobility Check 0328
    • This course provides background on the PACE Pre-Mobility Check and guides you through its use for a just-in-time check of the patient's method of transfer. The expectation is that it will increase your safety and that of your co-workers and patients.
  • Safe Patient Handling Course 2: Body Mechanics 0330
    • The purpose of this course is to review proper body mechanics and understand the limitations of body mechanics to reduce injuries in healthcare. You will also be provided with some examples of how to use the equipment to your advantage.