Stand and then move definition.

How the Moving around assessment criteria are being applied

1.1          The Moving around activity considers a claimant’s physical ability to get around without severe discomfort such as breathlessness, pain or fatigue. The activity considers the claimant’s ability to stand and then move up to 20 metres, up to 50 metres, up to 200 metres and over 200 metres.

1.2          Stand is defined as standing upright, with a least one biological foot on the ground, with or without suitable aids and appliances. A prosthesis is considered an appliance, so this means that a claimant with a unilateral prosthetic leg may be considered able to stand, whereas a bilateral lower-limb amputee would be considered unable to do so.

1.3          In order to be considered able to stand and then move, the individual must be able to stand and then move independently while remaining standing. This means that individuals who stand but then must transfer into a wheelchair or similar device to move will not be considered able to move the distance.

1.4          The activity also considers the use of aids and appliances to support the individual’s physical mobility – for example, walking sticks, crutches and prostheses.

1.5          This activity looks at ability to move around on the type of surface normally expected out of doors on the flat, such as pavements and kerbs. The activity does not explicitly consider indoor mobility as we consider the sort of surface expected out of doors to be generally more difficult to move around on than indoor surfaces. In doing so we recognise that individuals who face barriers to mobility in their own homes are likely to face even greater barriers when outside.

1.6          Consideration must be given to whether a claimant can carry out the activity, as described in the descriptor:

·       Safely – in a manner unlikely to cause harm to the individual or another person, either during or after completion of the activity;

·       Repeatedly – as often as the activity being assessed is reasonably required to be completed;

·       In a reasonable time period – no more than twice as long as the maximum period that a person without a physical or mental condition which limits that person’s ability to carry out the activity would normally take to complete that activity; and

·       To an acceptable standard.

1.7          Factors which will be particularly relevant here are, but are not limited to, the individual’s gait; their speed; the risk of falls; and symptoms such as pain, breathlessness and fatigue. However, this activity only looks at the physical act of moving, factors such as danger awareness are considered by the Planning and following journeys activity.