Fall Risk Score Calculator
Answer a few simple yes/no questions to estimate an older adult's fall-risk level, based on the CDC STEADI screening approach.
How it works
score = count of "yes" answers (0–5) · 0 = Low · 1–2 = Moderate · 3+ = High · a "yes" to fallen / unsteady / worried = STEADI screen-positive
This mirrors the CDC STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) initiative, which starts with three key questions — have you fallen, do you feel unsteady, do you worry about falling — because a yes to any one roughly doubles fall risk. Extra factors like taking several medications or already relying on a walking aid add to the picture. A higher count is a prompt for a proper gait, balance and medication review, not a diagnosis; many risk factors, especially medications and home hazards, are modifiable.
Worked example
An 80-year-old who fell once last year, feels a bit unsteady, but takes fewer than four medications and uses no aid scores 2 of 5 — a Moderate level, and screen-positive on the key questions, which warrants a closer look at balance and footwear.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three STEADI key questions?
Have you fallen in the past year, do you feel unsteady when standing or walking, and do you worry about falling. A "yes" to any one is considered screen-positive and a reason for a fuller assessment.
What actually reduces fall risk?
Strength and balance exercise (like tai chi), reviewing medications that cause dizziness, correcting vision, treating foot problems, and removing home hazards such as loose rugs and poor lighting are the best-evidenced steps.
Is one fall a reason to worry?
A single fall without injury is common, but it raises the odds of another. It is worth mentioning to a clinician so any treatable cause — blood pressure, medication, vision — can be checked.
Related calculators
Educational estimate only — not a medical diagnosis or a substitute for professional assessment. Screening scores and reference values are population tools; they cannot judge your individual health. Discuss any concerns with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.