How to assess fall risk in an older adult
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
One in four older adults falls each year. The CDC STEADI approach screens, assesses and acts.
Step by step
Screen with three questions
Have you fallen in the past year? Do you feel unsteady when standing or walking? Do you worry about falling? [1]
Gait and balance
Timed Up and Go: stand from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back and sit. 12 seconds or more means higher risk. Add the 30-second chair stand and the 4-stage balance test. [1]
Medicines
Sedatives, sleep pills, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs and opioids raise risk. [1]
Blood pressure lying and standing
A drop on standing (orthostatic hypotension) is a common cause. [1]
Vision, feet and home
Vision check, feet and shoes, and home hazards such as rugs, stairs and poor lighting. [1]
Act
Strength and balance exercise, adjust medicines, treat low blood pressure, fix vision and home hazards. [1]
In the hospital
Bed low, call light in reach, non-slip footwear and regular rounding. [2]
Common errors
- Only asking "Have you fallen?".
- Not checking standing blood pressure.
- No follow-up plan after a positive screen.
Practice it in VMS
In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.
VMS cases that train this skill
Sources
Facts and steps follow CDC STEADI (falls in older adults); NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan. VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.