Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale (FES)

Description of tool: The Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) is a 10-item

questionnaire used to assess ones fear of falling and how that impacts their physical
performance. It also provides insight into ones perception of balance and stability
during activities of daily living. Clinicians can follow a patients fear of falling over
time, further evaluate their risk of falls, and further determine recommendations for
appropriate living situations.
Time to administer: 10-15min
Population tested on: The FES is appropriate for populations in the community,
adult inpatients, long-term care, brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, & multiple
sclerosis.
Reliability: Not established
Validity: Construct validity significant at P<0.05 for traumatic & anoxic brain injury.
Scoring and interpretation:
The 10-item questionnaire has an individual rating for each item from 1 (extremely
confident) to10 (no confidence at all). All 10 items are added with total scores
ranging from 0-100. The higher the score the greater ones fear of falling is at home
during ADL engagement.
Interpretation:
A total score of greater than 70 indicates a person has a fear of falling.
Even with a score that indicates a low fear of falling; further functional evaluations
are recommended and may be necessary to determine appropriate discharge
recommendations for living independently at home or in the community.
Training: you should seek appropriate education and or training to ensure
competency and comfort level before administering this assessment.

Recommended Template:
Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) RESULTS:
Tinetti Falls Efficacy scale (FES): is a 10-item questionnaire used to assess ones
fear of falling and how that impacts their physical performance. It also provides
insight into ones perception of balance and stability during activities of daily
living. Clinicians can follow a patients fear of falling over time, further
evaluate their risk of falls, and further determine recommendations for appropriate
living situations.A score of greater than 70 indicates a person has a fear of
falling in the home during ADL engagement.
Scoring criteria: 10 items rated from 1 (extremely confident) to 10 (no confidence
at all). All 10 items are added with total scores ranging from 0-100.
Balance seated on hard armless chair
1. Take a bath or shower:
2. Reach into cabinets or closets:
3. Walk around the house:
4. Prepare meals not requiring carrying heavy or hot objects:
5. Get in and out of bed:
6. Answer the door or telephone:
7. Get in and out of a chair:
8. Getting dressed and undressed:
9. Personal grooming (i.e. washing your face):
10. Getting on & off of the toilet:
Total Score:

/100

> 70 = Person having a fear of falling

sUMMARY/RECOMMENDATIONS:

Additional Resources:
http://www.rehabmeasures.org/Lists/RehabMeasures/PrintView.aspx?ID=899
Link to assessment form:

http://www.rehabmeasures.org/PDF%20Library/Falls%20Efficacy
%20Scale.pdf
Tinetti, M., D. Richman, et al. (1990). "Falls efficacy as a measure of fear of
falling." Journal of gerontology 45(6): P239.
Peterson, Elizabeth. (2009). Falls, fear of falling, and falls self-efficacy among
adults with multiple sclerosis. Karolinska Institutet, 1-79. Retrieved from
http://diss.kib.ki.se/2009/978-91-7409-551-7/thesis.pdf
Woodland, J. & Hobson, S.J.G. (2003). An occupational therapy perspective on falls
prevention among community-dwelling older adults. The Canadian Journal of
Occupational Therapy, 70(3), 174-182.