®Measure yourself
Answer the questions
For each statement, choose “Yes” if it applies to you and “No” if it does not.
I have fallen in the past year.2 points
People who have fallen once are likely to fall again.I use, or have been advised to use, a walking stick or walker to get around safely.2 points
People who have been advised to use a walking stick or walker may already be more likely to fall.Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking.1 point
Unsteadiness or needing support while walking are signs of poor balance.I steady myself by holding on to furniture when walking at home.1 point
This is also a sign of poor balance.I am worried about falling.1 point
People who are worried about falling are more likely to fall.I need to push with my hands to stand up from a chair.1 point
This is a sign of weak leg muscles, a major reason for falling.I have some trouble stepping up onto a kerb.1 point
This is also a sign of weak leg muscles.I often have to rush to the toilet.1 point
Rushing to the toilet, especially at night, increases your chance of falling.I have lost some feeling in my feet.1 point
Numbness in your feet can cause stumbles and lead to falls.I take medicine that sometimes makes me feel light-headed or more tired than usual.1 point
Side effects from medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling.I take medicine to help me sleep or improve my mood.1 point
These medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling.I often feel sad or depressed.1 point
Symptoms of depression, such as not feeling well or feeling slowed down, are linked to falls.
Your answers are not sent anywhere and are not saved.
To prevent falls
- Do leg strength and balance exercises regularly.
- Review the medicines you take with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Have your eyes checked regularly, and look after your feet and footwear.
- Reduce hazards at home: rugs you could trip on, cables, dark corridors.
For more detail, see the fall prevention guide.
Measure it too
- 4-stage balance test: measure your standing balance in four steps.
- Timed Up and Go test: time how long it takes you to stand, walk and turn.
- 30-second chair stand test: measure your leg strength.
Frequently asked questions
How reliable is this test?
This checklist was developed at a geriatric centre of a veterans’ hospital in the US and has been validated as a fall risk self-assessment for older adults. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses it in its fall prevention programme. It is not a diagnostic tool; it is a starting point for talking to your doctor about your result.
My score is below 4. Can I relax?
A low score does not mean you have no risk of falling at all. It is a good idea to stay active to keep up your leg strength and balance, and to answer these questions again once a year.
My score was high. What can I do?
Talk to your doctor about your result; they may want to review your medicines, your eyesight and your feet. Strength and balance exercises are one of the most effective ways to prevent falls. A physiotherapist can put together a programme tailored to you.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (STEADI). Stay Independent: check your risk for falling. 2023. Wording lightly adapted to British English.
- Rubenstein LZ, Vivrette R, Harker JO, Stevens JA, Kramer BJ. Validating an evidence-based, self-rated fall risk questionnaire (FRQ) for older adults. J Safety Res. 2011;42(6):493–499.