Fall-Risk Checklist: CDC's 12-Statement Self-Check

What it does

Check every statement that is true for you. Each adds points. CDC says a total of 4 points or more may mean a risk for falling, and to discuss the checklist with your doctor. CDC describes it as a validated self-assessment tool.

Check every statement that is true for youI have fallen in the past year. People who have fallen once are likely to fall again.I use or have been advised to use a cane or walker to get around safely. People who have been advised to use a cane or walker may already be more likely to fall.Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking. Unsteadiness or needing support while walking are signs of poor balance.I steady myself by holding onto furniture when walking at home. This is also a sign of poor balance.I am worried about falling. People who are worried about falling are more likely to fall.I need to push with my hands to stand up from a chair. This is a sign of weak leg muscles, a major reason for falling.I have some trouble stepping up onto a curb. This is also a sign of weak leg muscles.I often have to rush to the toilet. Rushing to the bathroom, especially at night, increases your chance of falling.I have lost some feeling in my feet. Numbness in your feet can cause stumbles and lead to falls.I take medicine that sometimes makes me feel light-headed or more tired than usual. Side effects from medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling.I take medicine to help me sleep or improve my mood. These medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling.I often feel sad or depressed. Symptoms of depression, such as not feeling well or feeling slowed down, are linked to falls.

Read this first

It is a screening checklist, not a diagnosis. It cannot tell you why you might be at risk or what to do beyond talking with your doctor.

The statements include medicines and mood. Fit after 50 does not send, save, or use these answers to choose your steps.

CDC's own suggestions are four: speak up with your healthcare provider, keep moving to improve leg strength and balance, get an annual eye exam, and make your home safer.

About the evidence on this page

Review status: Claims source-checked
Last updated: September 21, 2026
Claims source-checked: September 21, 2026
Clinician review: None recorded. No physician or other licensed clinician has reviewed this page.

The 12 statements, their points, and the scoring statement were read from CDC's Stay Independent document. The checks were prepared with AI assistance and the ratings are proposed, pending confirmation by a person.

Claims we checked

Moderate evidenceCDC's Stay Independent checklist adds points for 12 statements and says a total of 4 or more may mean a risk for falling and to discuss it with your doctor. CDC calls it a validated self-assessment tool.Supportive guidance exists, with more limits or less consistency than a strong rating.This rating is proposed, pending confirmation by a person.Limits: We checked what CDC's document says. We did not review the validation study. It is a screening checklist, not a diagnosis. Answers are not stored by Fit after 50.

Sources

Stay Independent: Learn more about fall prevention, CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2023)

Limitations

A screening checklist, not a diagnosis.
We did not review the validation study CDC cites.
Answers are not sent, saved, or used to choose your steps.
Talk with a clinician if you have a health condition, symptoms, or restrictions.

Update history

September 21, 2026: First version published.

How Fit after 50 evaluates evidence