Score the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) with 10 balance and 10 gait items. Calculates total score, fall risk category, component subscores, and visual progress bars.
The Tinetti Assessment Tool, also known as the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), is the gold-standard clinical tool for evaluating fall risk in older adults. Developed by Dr. Mary Tinetti at Yale in 1986, it systematically evaluates 10 aspects of balance and 10 aspects of gait through direct clinician observation, producing a composite score from 0 to 28 that strongly predicts fall risk.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death in adults over 65, with one in four older adults experiencing a fall each year. The Tinetti tool identifies modifiable deficits (poor standing balance, asymmetric gait, hesitant initiation, wide-based stance) that can be targeted with physical therapy, assistive devices, medication adjustment, and environmental modification. A score below 19 indicates 5× greater fall risk compared to scores of 24+.
This calculator implements the complete original Tinetti POMA with all 20 scored items across both the balance and gait subscales. Each item uses the validated ordinal scoring system (0 = worst, 1 or 2 = best depending on the item), providing both total score with fall risk category and individual subscale analysis for targeted intervention planning.
The Tinetti Assessment Tool remains the most information-rich bedside fall risk assessment available, providing not just a risk score but a detailed map of specific balance and gait deficits. This granularity enables clinicians to design targeted interventions (e.g., standing balance exercises for balance-dominant deficits, step training for gait-dominant deficits) rather than generic fall prevention programs.
Tinetti Total = Balance Score (0–16) + Gait Score (0–12) Total range: 0–28 Fall risk: <19 = High, 19–23 = Moderate, 24–28 = Low
Result: Tinetti = 20/28 — Moderate fall risk
Balance score of 12/16 (75%) and gait score of 8/12 (67%) yield a total of 20, placing the patient in the moderate fall risk category. The proportionally lower gait subscale suggests gait-specific deficits (step length, continuity, or path deviation) should be the primary intervention focus.
Use consistent units throughout your calculation and verify all assumptions before treating the output as final. For professional or academic work, document your input values and any conversion standards used so results can be reproduced. Apply this calculator as part of a broader workflow, especially when the result feeds into a larger model or report.
Most mistakes come from mixed units, rounding too early, or misread labels. Recheck each final value before use. Pay close attention to sign conventions — positive and negative inputs often produce very different results. When working with multiple related calculations, keep intermediate values available so you can trace discrepancies back to their source.
Enter the most precise values available. Use the worked example or presets to confirm the calculator behaves as expected before entering your real data. If a result seems unexpected, compare it against a manual estimate or a known reference case to catch input errors early.
All adults over 65, especially those with a history of falls, balance complaints, neurological conditions (Parkinson's, stroke, neuropathy), orthopedic conditions, or multiple medications (polypharmacy). It is recommended as part of annual wellness visits for community-dwelling older adults.
A trained clinician can complete the full Tinetti assessment in 10-15 minutes. It requires only a hard armless chair, a standard hallway for walking, and no special equipment — making it practical for any clinical setting including bedside, clinic, or home visits.
Both are valid fall risk tools. The Tinetti provides more granular information (20 individual items, two subscales) for intervention planning. The TUG is faster (one timed task) and provides a single number. Many geriatric programs use both: TUG for screening, Tinetti for detailed assessment of those who screen positive.
Yes. Reassessment every 3-6 months (or after intervention courses) reveals score changes. A ≥4 point increase in total score is considered clinically meaningful improvement. Serial scores can demonstrate the effectiveness of physical therapy, medication changes, or assistive device provision.
Evidence-based interventions include: exercise programs (balance training, Tai Chi, strength training), medication review (reducing sedatives, anticholinergics, polypharmacy), vision correction, home hazard assessment, vitamin D supplementation, assistive device fitting, and footwear evaluation. Use this as a practical reminder before finalizing the result.
No. A score of 24-28 indicates low mechanical fall risk based on balance and gait, but falls also occur from environmental hazards (rugs, uneven surfaces), acute illness (syncope, stroke), medication effects, and cognitive impairment. The Tinetti does not assess all fall risk domains.