STEADI Fall Risk Score Explained, With Questionnaire

By Heidi G., quality care coordinator at Network Health
5/5/2025

It’s spelled wrong for a reason. STEADI isn’t a typo. It’s an initiative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, particularly from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, and it stands for “Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries.”

Altogether, the STEADI initiative consists of three elements: Screen, Assess and Intervene. For example, your personal doctor may screen you for potential fall risk, then work with you to assess lifestyle factors/changes that might influence your risk and then help you create strategies to reduce your fall risk.

Questions to Check Your Risk for Falling

When you visit with your personal doctor, they may ask a series of questions to determine your risk of falling. You can also go through these questions yourself or with a loved one to determine your fall risk at home.

The STEADI fall risk assessment consists of 12 questions total. Some questions have a greater indication for fall risk than others, and therefore, some questions will be the equivalent of two points and others will be one point. A score of four or more indicates that you may be at risk for falling.

Fall Risk Questionnaire

Use the questions below to assess your fall risk. You can also visit the National Council on Aging website to complete the questionnaire online.

Additionally, there are three questions in the list that may automatically indicate to your personal doctor that you are at risk for falls. Those are the following.

• I have fallen in the past year.
• I am worried about falling.
• I feel unsteady when walking (or standing).

If it is determined you are not at risk, your personal doctor may still educate you on fall prevention, just so you are aware of it for the future. They may also look at your vitamin D intake and recommend a supplement if necessary. While vitamin D won’t prevent falls in itself, it can help with muscle and bone strength.

Additional Fall Risk Tests

There are additional assessments your doctor may wish to conduct if it is determined you are at risk for falls. You can try these at home as well, but if you do, make sure you have someone of adequate strength to assist you in order to avoid injury. This person can also help you implement the tests, as each have timed components.

1. Timed Up & Go
2. 30-Second Chair Stand
3. The 4-Stage Balance Test

Additionally, your doctor may talk to you about potential home hazards, measure orthostatic blood pressure and check your visual acuity to get a clear picture of your fall risk. They may even take a look at your footwear and offer suggestions for improvements.

[Read more: Best Shoes to Prevent Falls]

Fall Risk Intervention

The assessments above will tie into the fall risk intervention steps that you and your personal doctor discuss implementing. This can come in many forms, from simple at-home remedies to eliminate trip hazards to referrals to other care providers such as a podiatrist or physical therapist.

Your doctor may also consider it necessary to change medications. Some medications can increase your fall risk. Stopping, switching or reducing the dosage of such medications can improve your outlook for fall prevention.

Once these interventions are discussed, your doctor will likely wish to schedule a follow up. These usually come 30-90 days out from the initial visit and help you communicate with your doctor about how the changes are going and whether there are any additional concerns.