Annual Mobility Screen

APTA Geriatrics Sponsored Evidence Based Documents

The Annual Mobility Screen Task Force was formed in the summer of 2023 to explore the return on investment of developing and implementing an (annual) Mobility Wellness Check for older adults.

This screen would attempt to detect early changes in mobility that could then lead to interventions to prevent further decline. In the fall of 2023, we were asked to continue our work and develop the screen along with supporting documents and plan for implementing into physical therapy practice. In fall of 2024 we finalized the following documents.

The Physical Therapy Annual Mobility Screen Repository
The task force has created the Physical Therapy Annual Mobility Screen (PT-AMS) Repository. If you are performing the Annual Mobility Screen, you can share your data in the PT-AMS Repository. By collecting a large number of results and making this data available to investigators through the Repository, we hope to address some of the items on the Research Agenda. If you are interested in participating in the repository, contact Michael Puthoff at puthoffmichaell@sau.edu.
  • Data Collection Form: A sample form to collect results of the screen.
  • Intake Form: The form that the person would complete before conducting the screen.
  • Interpretation Tables: Instructions on interpreting the results and identifying individuals at risk of preclinical mobility limitations.
  • Protocol Manual: This document provides some background information on the Mobility Screen and directions for implementation.
  • Referral Form: A handout that guides the person to the next steps based on their results.
  • Report Card: A handout that provides results to the person
  • Research Agenda: A roadmap to studying the feasibility and usefulness of the Annual Mobility Screen

AMS Data Collection Form

May 23, 2025

This is a sample form to collect results of the screen.

AMS Intake Form

May 23, 2025

The form that the person would complete before conducting the screen.

Interpretation Tables

February 5, 2025

Instructions on interpreting the results and identifying individuals at risk of preclinical mobility limitations.

AMS Protocol Manual

July 3, 2025

This document provides some background information on the Mobility Screen and directions for implementation.

AMS Referral Form

February 5, 2025

A handout that guides the person to the next steps based on their results.

AMS Report Card

May 20, 2025

Handouts that provide results to the person. Specific handouts based on age and sex data.

AMS Research Agenda

February 5, 2025

A roadmap to studying the feasibility and usefulness of the Annual Mobility Screen

In addition to these implementation tools, we developed a research agenda to help guide future scholarly work around the Annual Mobility Screen

Our ultimate goal is to see the Annual Mobility Screen become an essential service that benefits the lives of older adults to move, engage, and live well. We invite you to review these documents and even think about using the Mobility Screen with a handful of individuals.

The Task Force is working to disseminate the Annual Mobility Screen, conduct research around the tool, and collect feedback. As we get feedback from clients, physical therapists, and results of research studies, we plan to make any needed adjustments to the Mobility Screen.

Readers are welcome to provide feedback at this link. If you would like more information on the Annual Mobility Screen, you can also indicate this by completing the survey.