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Fall risk self-check

One in four people over 65 falls each year, and most falls can be prevented. These 12 questions come from a checklist doctors use to spot fall risk early. Answer for yourself or for the person you care for; nothing leaves your browser.

This checklist helps you notice fall risk; it is not a medical assessment. If someone has fallen, feels dizzy or unsteady, or has hit their head, talk to a doctor. In an emergency, call the emergency number.

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Who is this for? (optional)

0 of 12 answered

Is this true?

1. Has fallen in the past year. (2 points)

Yes No

2. Uses, or has been advised to use, a cane or walker to get around safely. (2 points)

Yes No

3. Sometimes feels unsteady when walking. (1 point)

Yes No

4. Steadies themselves by holding onto furniture when walking at home. (1 point)

Yes No

5. Is worried about falling. (1 point)

Yes No

6. Needs to push with their hands to stand up from a chair. (1 point)

Yes No

7. Has some trouble stepping up onto a kerb. (1 point)

Yes No

8. Often has to rush to the toilet. (1 point)

Yes No

9. Has lost some feeling in their feet. (1 point)

Yes No

10. Takes medicine that sometimes makes them feel light-headed or more tired than usual. (1 point)

Yes No

11. Takes medicine to help them sleep or to improve their mood. (1 point)

Yes No

12. Often feels sad or depressed. (1 point)

Yes No

Result

Answer all 12 statements to see the result.

Questions adapted from the CDC STEADI “Stay Independent” brochure (Rubenstein et al., 2011). Two points for questions 1–2, one point for the others; 4 or more suggests a possible fall risk.

What score means a high risk of falling?

On this checklist a total of 4 points or more means the person may be at risk of falling and should talk to a doctor. It is a screening tool: a doctor or physiotherapist can do a proper balance and gait assessment.

Can I fill it in for my mother or father?

Yes. Answer as well as you can from what you see, or go through the questions together. If you are unsure about one, ask them; the conversation itself is often useful.

What should we do after a fall?

Check for injuries before getting up, get up slowly using a sturdy chair, and call for help if there is pain, a head injury or the person cannot get up. Always tell the doctor afterwards, even if nothing seems hurt.

Keep track of falls and near misses

In a free care space the family can log falls, share a home-safety task list and see changes over time, from any phone.

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Add this tool to your website

Charities, councils and blogs can embed this free tool. Copy the code below into your page.

<iframe src="https://caretasknest.com/embed/en-gb/fall-risk-self-check/" title="Fall risk self-check" width="100%" height="900" style="border:0;max-width:820px" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p><a href="https://caretasknest.com/en-gb/tools/fall-risk-self-check/">Fall risk self-check</a> – CareTaskNest</p>