Fear of Falling Test
Free falls concern screening. 7 questions, 2 minutes. Based on the Short FES-I — used by occupational therapists to assess fear of falling in older adults.
Before You Start
- This is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test
- All answers are processed in your browser only
- No data is stored or sent to any server
- Results can be copied to share with your clinician
What Is the Short Falls Efficacy Scale?
The Short Falls Efficacy Scale International (Short FES-I) is a validated 7-item questionnaire developed by an international consortium of falls researchers led by Professor Chris Todd. It measures your concern about falling during everyday activities such as getting dressed, taking a bath, walking on uneven surfaces, and going up or down stairs. Fear of falling is a significant health issue — it affects 1 in 3 older adults and can lead to activity avoidance, social isolation, reduced fitness, and paradoxically, an increased risk of actual falls.
Signs You Might Benefit From This Screening
You might benefit from this screening if you find yourself avoiding activities because you are worried about falling, holding onto furniture when moving around your home, feeling anxious about walking outside or on uneven ground, or if you have had a fall (or near-fall) in the past year. Fear of falling is common and understandable — it is not a sign of weakness. Identifying it early means you can access physiotherapy, exercise programmes, and home safety assessments that are proven to reduce both fear and actual fall risk.
How the Short FES-I Works
The Short FES-I asks about your level of concern for 7 common activities, scored from 1 (not at all concerned) to 4 (very concerned). Total scores range from 7 to 28. A score of 7–8 indicates low concern about falling, 9–13 indicates moderate concern, and 14–28 indicates high concern. The short version correlates highly (r=0.97) with the full 16-item FES-I, making it a reliable and time-efficient screening option.
What Happens After the Screening?
If your score indicates moderate or high concern about falling, consider sharing your results with your GP or occupational therapist. They can arrange a comprehensive falls risk assessment, which may include balance and gait testing, medication review, vision checks, and a home safety assessment. Evidence-based interventions like the Otago Exercise Programme and tai chi have been shown to reduce falls by up to 35%. Early intervention makes a real difference.