How concerned are you about falling during everyday activities? Answer a short, research-based questionnaire and see your score.
The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) asks how concerned you are about falling while doing 16 everyday activities, like getting dressed, using stairs or walking outside. It is used by physical therapists, doctors and researchers around the world and is recommended by the World Falls Guidelines. Being worried about falling is common. It can also lead people to avoid activities, so it’s worth knowing where you stand.
Both versions use the same questions and answers. The short version takes about 2 minutes; the full version about 5.
Instructions
Now we would like to ask some questions about how concerned you are about the possibility of falling. Please reply thinking about how you usually do the activity. If you currently don’t do the activity (e.g. if someone does your shopping for you), please answer to show whether you think you would be concerned about falling IF you did the activity. For each of the following activities, please tick the box which is closest to your own opinion to show how concerned you are that you might fall if you did this activity.
Now we would like to ask some questions about how concerned you are about the possibility of falling. Please reply thinking about how you usually do the activity. If you currently don’t do the activity, please answer to show whether you think you would be concerned about falling IF you did the activity. For each of the following activities, please tick the box which is closest to your own opinion to show how concerned you are that you might fall if you did this activity.
On this page, tap one answer for each activity instead of ticking a box. Please answer every question.
This is a questionnaire, not a diagnosis. It measures how concerned you are about falling. It can’t tell you whether you will fall, or why. Only a licensed health care provider who examines you can do that. If you are worried about falling, talk with your doctor or a physical therapist.
Each answer scores 1 to 4, so higher totals mean more concern about falling. The FES-I total runs from 16 (no concern about falling) to 64 (severe concern about falling); the Short FES-I runs from 7 to 28. These cut points come from a study of 500 adults ages 70 to 90 living in the community (Delbaere et al., 2010).
| Level of concern | FES-I (16 questions) | Short FES-I (7 questions) |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 16–19 | 7–8 |
| Moderate | 20–27 | 9–13 |
| High | 28–64 | 14–28 |
Want to check your balance too? Try the Timed Up and Go, 4-Stage Balance Test or 30-Second Chair Stand, or see all free balance self-checks.
Source. FES-I and Short FES-I questionnaires (English), instructions and scoring from the official FES-I website, Healthy Ageing Research Group, The University of Manchester: sites.manchester.ac.uk/fes-i. FES-I: Prof Lucy Yardley and Prof Chris Todd. FES-I and Short FES-I are free for clinicians and researchers when appropriately referenced. References: Yardley L, Beyer N, Hauer K, Kempen G, Piot-Ziegler C, Todd C. Development and initial validation of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Age and Ageing 2005;34(6):614-619 (doi:10.1093/ageing/afi196). Kempen GIJM, Yardley L, van Haastregt JCM, Zijlstra GAR, Beyer N, Hauer K, Todd C. The Short FES-I: a shortened version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International to assess fear of falling. Age and Ageing 2008;37(1):45-50 (doi:10.1093/ageing/afm157). Cut points: Delbaere K, Close JCT, Mikolaizak AS, Sachdev PS, Brodaty H, Lord SR. The Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). A comprehensive longitudinal validation study. Age and Ageing 2010;39(2):210-216 (doi:10.1093/ageing/afp225), as listed on the FES-I website. Holsman Physical Therapy is not affiliated with the University of Manchester or ProFaNE.
Next step: A Holsman physical therapist can check your balance in person and help you move with more confidence. Book a free balance screening or call 1-855-465-7626. Learn more about our fall prevention program.
Monday, Nov 16 – Friday, Nov 20, 2026 at all 17 Holsman clinics
A physical therapist checks your balance with the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go and 4-Stage Balance Test. It takes about 20 minutes. It’s free, and you don’t need insurance or a referral.
Our NO FALL PROTOCOL® assessment uses the same tests physical therapists use worldwide, and you leave with a plan. 17 clinics in North Jersey, the Bronx and Brooklyn, plus in-home visits.
The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) is a 16-question survey that measures how concerned a person is about falling during everyday activities. It was developed by the Prevention of Falls Network Europe (ProFaNE) and is recommended by the World Falls Guidelines. The Short FES-I uses 7 of the same questions.
Each answer scores 1 (not at all concerned) to 4 (very concerned). Add them up. The FES-I total runs from 16 to 64 and the Short FES-I from 7 to 28. Higher scores mean more concern about falling.
Using cut points from Delbaere et al. (2010), FES-I scores of 16 to 19 mean low concern, 20 to 27 moderate concern and 28 to 64 high concern. For the Short FES-I: 7 to 8 low, 9 to 13 moderate and 14 to 28 high.
Yes. The instructions ask you to answer as if you did the activity. For example, if someone else does your shopping, answer how concerned you think you would be about falling if you went to the shop yourself.
Talk with your doctor or a physical therapist. A physical therapist can check your balance and strength, find what is causing the concern and build a safe exercise plan to help you feel steadier.
No. Everything runs in your web browser. Nothing is sent to us or stored.
Physical therapists at 17 locations across NJ & NYC, plus in-home visits. Same-week appointments available.
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