Falling

Check Your Risk for Falling

(A self-assessment for fall risk)

Circle YES or NO for each statement below			Why it matters
Yes (2)	No(0)	I have fallen in the past year.	People who have fallen once are likely to fall again
Yes (2)	No(0)	I use or have been advised to use a cane or walker to get around safely.	People who have been advised to use a cane or walker may already be more likely to fall.
Yes (1)	No(0)	Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking.	Unsteadiness or needing support while walking are signs of poor balance.
Yes (1)	No(0)	I steady myself by holding onto furniture when walking at home.	This is also a sign of poor balance.
Yes (1)	No(0)	I am worried about falling.	People who are worried about falling are more likely to fall.
Yes (1)	No(0)	I need to push with my hands to stand up from a chair.	This is a sign of weak leg muscles, a major reason for falling.
Yes (1)	No(0)	I have some trouble stepping up onto a curb.	This is also a sign of weak leg muscles
Yes (1)	No(0)	I often have to rush to the toilet.	Rushing to the bathroom, especially at night, increases your chance of falling.
Yes (1)	No(0)	I have lost some feeling in my feet	Numbness in your feet can cause stumbles and lead to falls.
Yes (1)	No(0)	I take medicine that sometimes makes me feel light-headed or more tired than usual.	Side eﬀects from medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling.
Yes (1)	No(0)	I take medicine to help me sleep or improve my mood.	These medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling.
Yes (1)	No(0)	I often feel sad or depressed.	Symptoms of depression, such as not feeling well or feeling slowed down, are linked to falls. Total Add up the number of points for each “yes” answer. If you scored 4 points or more, you may be at risk for falling. Discuss this brochure with your doctor.
Total		Add up the number of points for each “YES” answer. If you scored 4 points of more, you may be at risk of falling. Discuss this with your doctor

This checklist was developed by the Greater Los Angeles VA Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center and aﬃliates, and is a validated fall risk self-assessment tool (Rubenstein et al. J Safety Res; 2011: 42(6)493-499). Adapted with permission of the authors.