This tool is designed to help identify at risk patients aged 65 and over.
Take this test to work out if you need to discuss your risk of falls with your PCP.
1. Have you fallen in the last 12 months?
No
0
Yes
1
2. Are you on 4 or more medications a day?
No
0
Yes
1
3. Do you have Parkinson's disease or have you had a stroke?
No
0
Yes
1
4. Do you feel weaker than you used to or have less strength in your arms and legs or hands?
No
0
Yes
1
5. Do you feel unsteady or have problems with balance?
No
0
Yes
1
6. Do you struggle to get up from a chair?
No
0
Yes
1
7. Are there places in your home where you no longer feel as safe as you used to?
No
0
Yes
1
8. Has your eyesight diminished or do you find it difficult to read, judge distances or see at night?
No
0
Yes
1
If any of the above were selected other than “No”:
Stand up from the chair
Walk 10 feet at your normal pace
Turn
Walk back to the chair at your normal pace
Sit down again
If you take more than 12 seconds to complete the Timed Up and Go test, you should answer "Yes" to the question.
No
0
Yes
2
0 Points
Reset
Scores <= 1 suggest minimal fall risk which may not require treatment.
Scores ≥ 2 then you are advised to discuss your risk of falls with your PCP. If they feel that you are at risk of falling they may refer you to specialist falls services.
Functionally, the patient does not report limitations due to their symptoms.
Are you at risk of falling?
This self-assessment is based on the Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) used by healthcare professionals to help identify at risk patients aged 65 and over.
The test can help uncover any health issues that might make you more likely to fall, which you can discuss with your PCP.
Interpretation of Results
If you have had a fall in the last 12 months or answered "Yes" to two or more questions in the test then you are advised to discuss your risk of falls with your PCP. If they feel that you are at risk of falling they may refer you to specialist falls services.
Description of Questions
Question 1: You are more likely to have another fall if you have fallen in the last year. A previous fall can also make you overly cautious and lead you to restrict your activities and even avoid leaving your home. A fear of falling can start to become a serious worry and can be quite difficult to deal with, if not addressed quickly.
Question 2: Taking 4 or more medications significantly increases the risk for falling because of the side effects associated with multiple medication use. You should see your PCP if you haven't had your medicines reviewed for more than a year. Your PCP may recommend alternative medications or lower doses if appropriate.
Question 3: Falls are common after a stroke mainly because of leg weakness, sensory loss, and foot, eyesight and balance problems. Up to 73% of stroke survivors experience a fall in the first 6 months after leaving hospital. If you have Parkinson's, the reasons you fall may include poor balance, taking steps that are too small or that vary in size, or because your arms don't swing when you walk. Involuntary movements, which are a side effect of some Parkinson's medication, can also be a reason.
Question 4: Muscle weakness can make it difficult to move around in your home and complete activities of daily living. Regular exercise can help you build your strength, improve your balance, and make these tasks easier.
Question 5: Try these tests: Can you walk while talking? Try answering random questions while walking with someone. If you stop walking either immediately or as soon as you start to answer a question, you should answer "Yes". Do you sway significantly while standing? Get someone to observe you standing upright. If you raise your arms or adjust your foot placement for balance, you should answer "Yes". Take your weight on to one leg and try to lift the other foot off the floor by about an inch (allow a few practice attempts). If you struggle to balance on one leg, you should answer "Yes".
Question 6: You should be able to stand up from a chair of knee height without using your arms. If you feel unsteady, lightheaded, dizzy or even feel faint after getting up, it could be a sign of low blood pressure. Postural hypotension is when your blood pressure drops when you go from lying down to sitting up, or from sitting to standing. When your blood pressure drops, less blood may reach your organs and muscles. Lowered blood pressure can make you more likely to fall.
Question 7: Feeling unsafe, even in your own home, may cause you to restrict activities. This is a sign that you may need to make some changes. There are simple ways to make your home feel and be safer to reduce your risk of falling. Add lighting and turn on lights, moving furniture and house decor out of main pathways, removing hazardous rugs, and ensuring that floor surfaces are slip-‐resistant are just a few ways to make your home safer to reduce your risk of falling.
Question 8: Problems with eyesight can make it difficult to see things – obstacles that you may trip over. If you’ve noticed changes or worried about your vision, visit your eye doctor to see if you need glasses or a new prescription. Make sure you have enough lighting around your home and mark edges of stairs with paint or colored tape to reduce your risk of falling.