Balance and Falls Checklist
Balance is assessed with timed, supervised tests compared against norms. This page does not estimate a "balance age". It counts signs the NHS links with falls risk and whether you do balance exercise.
Before you start
Method : Balance and Falls Checklist — a custom points score written by this site. Each answer adds or subtracts the points shown in the Methodology table below.
Validation : Unvalidated. The points have never been tested against any laboratory measurement or health outcome, and the result is not an age.
Review : not reviewed by a qualified clinician. Educational only — not a diagnosis or a medical test.
A fall with a head injury, or sudden dizziness with weakness, slurred speech or vision loss, needs emergency care. Don't try balance tests on your own if you feel unsteady.
Your answers stay in this browser tab; nothing is sent or stored.
Answer the questions, then press Calculate score.
How to Use This Calculator
- Answer each question.
- Press Calculate score.
- Read the breakdown and suggestions.
Methodology & assumptions
Your score is the sum of the points below. The weights are our own judgement. The old version added and subtracted made-up years for self-rated single-leg stands, tandem stance, body awareness and coordination and gave a "balance age". Without timed tests there are no norms to compare against, so the age output was removed.
| Factor | Answer | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Falls in the past year | None | 0 |
| One | +1 | |
| Two or more | +2 | |
| Feeling unsteady when standing or walking | No | 0 |
| Sometimes | +1 | |
| Often | +2 | |
| Dizziness or a spinning feeling | No | 0 |
| Sometimes | +1 | |
| Often | +2 | |
| Worried about falling | No | 0 |
| Yes | +1 | |
| Strength or balance exercise (e.g. tai chi, yoga) | 2+ days a week | 0 |
| Occasionally | +1 | |
| Never | +1 |
Worked examples
Two or more falls, often unsteady, often dizzy, worried about falling, never does balance exercise: 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = +8 points.
No falls, steady, no dizziness, not worried, balance exercise 2+ days a week: 0 points.
Understanding your result
This counts signs and habits you reported. It is not a balance assessment, not a falls-risk score and not an age. Health-agency guidance linked below is general and based on populations, not on this score.
Sources & further reading
The points table is our own convention and is not taken from these sources.
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