It is important to take the Hierarchy of Mobility Skills into consideration when working with a client in order to ensure safe and efficient treatment progress. The order from most basic to complex is as follows: bed mobility, mat transfer, wheelchair transfer, bed transfer, functional ambulation for ADL, toilet and tub transfer, car transfer, functional ambulation for community mobility, and community mobility and driving. From a personal and practical perspective, this sequence is understandable. Not only is bed mobility the most basic skill, but it also supplies the foundation on which other mobility skills can expound on. As the hierarchy ascends, the client's base of support decreases, which allows for increased mobility, however, consequently reducing stability as well. Namely, the ability to effectively and safely perform one mobility skill is dependent upon the mastery of the skill(s) associated with the tiers beneath it.
It was eye-opening to have been able to better understand different mobility skills in simulated labs. The exposure to how debilitating even a simulated disability can be placed a lot into a different perspective. This order of attaining mobility skills is a very gradual progression in which levels could overlap. This helps to facilitate the fluid and natural development of said skills, and as a result, promotes the efficacy of treatment. Fortunately, in terms of personal observed clinical experiences, practitioners have done well to abide by this sequence. As future practitioners, it is imperative that we have a full, clear understanding of this hierarchy so that we may efficiently and holistically treat our clients.
~ Pam ♡
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