Tinetti POMA Fall Risk Calculator
The Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) evaluates balance (10 items, 0–16) and gait (10 items, 0–12) in older adults. The total score of 0–28 stratifies fall risk: ≤ 18 = high, 19–23 = moderate, ≥ 24 = low.
Sitting balance
Arises from chair
Attempts to arise
Immediate standing balance (first 5 s)
Standing balance
Nudged (sternal push)
Eyes closed (standing)
Turning 360° — step continuity
Turning 360° — stability
Sitting down
Initiation of gait
Step length — right swing
Step height — right swing
Step length — left swing
Step height — left swing
Step symmetry
Step continuity
Path deviation
Trunk stability
Walking stance width
Score 0–28; lower score = higher fall risk
- 1
Balance subscale (10 items, max 16)
16Sitting balance, arising, standing stability, nudge test, eyes-closed, and turning. - 2
Gait subscale (10 items, max 12)
12Gait initiation, step length, step height, symmetry, continuity, path, trunk, and walking stance. - 3
Tinetti total score
16 + 12 = 28
How does this calculator work?
The Tinetti POMA scores balance (0–16) and gait (0–12) on observed tasks for a total of 0–28. Total ≤ 18 = high fall risk; 19–23 = moderate; ≥ 24 = low. Developed by Tinetti (1986), it is validated for older adults and guides targeted physiotherapy and fall-prevention interventions.
Formula
How this is calculated
The Tinetti POMA, developed by Dr Mary Tinetti in 1986, is a clinician-administered observational assessment. The balance subscale rates 10 tasks performed while seated and standing — including arising from a chair, immediate standing stability, tolerance to a gentle sternal push, turning 360°, and sitting down. The gait subscale rates 10 aspects of walking — including gait initiation, step length and height for each leg, symmetry, path deviation, trunk sway, and walking stance width. Each item is scored on an ordinal scale (typically 0–1 or 0–2); higher values reflect better performance.
The maximum balance score is 16 and the maximum gait score is 12, giving a combined maximum of 28. Scores of 25–28 indicate low fall risk; 19–24 indicate moderate risk (the patient may need some interventions); ≤ 18 indicates high fall risk. A score ≤ 18 is associated with a fivefold increase in falls relative to community norms.
The POMA is most reliable when administered by a trained physiotherapist or physician who observes each task directly. It does not replace a full fall-risk assessment, which should also include medication review, environmental hazard assessment, vision testing, and orthopaedic evaluation. The thresholds cited here are from Tinetti 1986 and subsequent validation studies.
Frequently asked questions
A total Tinetti score of 18 or less identifies high fall risk, associated with a significantly elevated rate of falls. Scores of 19–23 indicate moderate risk. A score of 24 or above is generally considered low risk, though individual clinical factors should always be considered.
The full Tinetti POMA typically takes 10–15 minutes for an experienced clinician. It requires a standard chair without armrests, a short (10 ft / 3 m) walk space, and no special equipment. It can be performed at the bedside or in a clinic.
Both tools are validated for fall-risk screening. The TUG is faster (a single timed task) and has good sensitivity. The Tinetti is more detailed, providing both balance and gait subscores that guide specific interventions. Many clinics use both: TUG for rapid screening and Tinetti for detailed assessment when the TUG is borderline.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Tinetti POMA Fall Risk Calculator [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/tinetti-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Tinetti POMA Fall Risk Calculator." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/tinetti-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Tinetti POMA Fall Risk Calculator," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/tinetti-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_tinetti_calculator, title = {Tinetti POMA Fall Risk Calculator}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/tinetti-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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