Patient Name: Date:
Patient ID #
Fall Risk Screening Questions
1. Have you had two or more falls within the past 12 months? Yes No
2. Have you had a fall with injury? Yes No
3. Do you have any problems with gait or balance? Yes No
Patients who answer “yes” to any of the screening questions need further evaluation to
determine their fall risks. Having fallen in the past year is a strong predictor for future falls.
Older persons reporting only a single fall and reporting or demonstrating no difficulty or
unsteadiness during the evaluation of gait and balance do not require a fall risk assessment.1
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Timed Up and Go Score:
An older adult who takes ≥ 12 seconds to complete the TUG is at high risk for falling.2
1. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/health_care_professionals/clinical_practice/clinical_guidelines_recom mendations/2010
2. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/tug_test-a.pdf
Patient: Date: Time: AM/PM
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Purpose: To assess mobility
Equipment: A stopwatch
Directions: Patients wear their regular footwear and can use a walking
aid if needed. Begin by having the patient sit back in a standard arm
chair and identify a line 3 meters or 10 feet away on the floor.
Instructions to the patient:
When I say “Go,” I want you to:
1. Stand up from the chair
2. Walk to the line on the floor at your normal pace
3. Turn
4. Walk back to the chair at your normal pace
5. Sit down again
On the word “Go” begin timing.
Stop timing after patient has sat back down and record.
Time: _________ seconds
An older adult who takes ≥12 seconds to complete the TUG is at
high risk for falling.
Observe the patient’s postural stability, gait, stride length, and sway.
Circle all that apply: Slow tentative pace Loss of balance
Short strides Little or no arm swing Steadying self on walls
Shuffling En bloc turning Not using assistive device properly
Notes:
For relevant articles, go to: www.cdc.gov/injury/STEADI
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control