Check your risk of falling

What this fall risk self-assessment measures

This tool uses the 12-statement Stay Independent checklist from the CDC's STEADI initiative (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries). Each statement reflects a recognized fall risk factor. Two of them — having fallen in the past year, and using or having been advised to use a cane or walker — score 2 points because they are among the strongest predictors of a future fall. The remaining statements score 1 point each, giving a range of 0 to 14. A score of 4 or higher suggests you may be at increased risk of falling and should discuss it with your doctor.

This is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnosis. It cannot examine your balance, strength, vision, or medications. Its purpose is to give you a specific, concrete thing to bring to a medical appointment.

Why this matters

More than one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year, and falls are the leading cause of injury in that age group, according to the CDC. Falling once roughly doubles the chance of falling again. Yet less than half of older adults who fall mention it to their doctor — which is exactly the gap a checklist like this is designed to close.

Risk has two halves: you, and where you walk

This checklist looks at you — balance, strength, medications, mood. It says nothing about the rooms you walk through every day. Loose rugs, unlit stairs and a dark path to the bathroom are separate hazards with separate fixes. Our home fall hazard checklist is an interactive version of the CDC Check for Safety brochure and returns a printable fix-it list for your own home. Working through both gives you the complete picture.

What to do with your score

Take the result to your physician, or ask for a referral to a physical therapist. The National Institute on Aging notes that a physical or occupational therapist can assess which mobility device is appropriate and teach safe use — and that avoiding activity out of fear of falling actually increases risk rather than reducing it.

If a walking aid turns out to be part of the answer, start with Cane, Walker or Rollator? to work out the level of support that fits. From there the practical tools take over: our do I need a walking cane check, the cane length calculator for correct height, and the which hand guide for technique.

Frequently asked questions

What score means I am at risk of falling?

A score of 4 or higher on the CDC Stay Independent checklist suggests possible increased fall risk and is worth discussing with your doctor. Scores below 4 do not rule out risk, particularly if you have had a recent fall or feel unsteady.

Is this an official CDC test?

The questions come from the CDC's STEADI Stay Independent checklist, a publicly available screening tool. This page is an interactive version provided by DaiWalk for convenience. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the CDC, and it does not replace a clinical assessment.

Why are two questions worth 2 points?

Having fallen in the past year, and using or having been advised to use a cane or walker, are weighted more heavily because both are strongly associated with future falls.

Does using a cane mean I am at higher risk?

The checklist counts cane use as a risk indicator because it reflects an underlying mobility or balance issue — not because the cane itself causes falls. A correctly fitted cane used properly is a fall-prevention measure.

Is my answer data stored?

No. The assessment runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is transmitted, saved, or linked to you.

What if I score low but still feel unsteady?

Trust the symptom. Feeling unsteady is worth raising with a clinician regardless of score, and a gait and balance assessment can identify causes a questionnaire cannot.