How to use
- Prepare the equipment: a hard armless chair, a stopwatch, and a flat 15-foot walkway (±4.6 meters). Administration usually takes 10–15 minutes.
- Have the subject sit in the chair, then observe each item in Section A (balance, max 16) and Section B (gait, max 12).
- Select the score that best matches the observation. Subtotals and total are calculated automatically.
- Record any walking aids used so results can be compared at the next evaluation.
Score interpretation
| Total score | Category |
|---|---|
| 25–28 | Low risk |
| 19–24 | Moderate risk |
| 0–18 | High fall risk |
Category cutoffs follow the standard POMA form (Tinetti, 1986). A score of 28 is the maximum normal value.
Assessment form
Complete all items. Each option shows the clinical observation description and its point weight.
Section A — Balance (max 16)
Starting instruction: subject sits in a hard armless chair.
Section B — Gait (max 12)
The subject stands with the examiner, walks down the hallway/room at usual pace, then returns at a fast but safe pace. Usual walking aids are allowed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is Tinetti POMA?
Tinetti POMA is the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, an observational instrument by Mary Tinetti of Yale University published in 1986 to assess balance and gait in older adults. It consists of 16 items grouped into a balance subscale with a maximum score of 16 and a gait subscale with a maximum score of 12, for a maximum total score of 28.
How does Tinetti POMA differ from Timed Up and Go (TUG)?
Tinetti POMA rates movement quality per observation item and produces a 0-to-28 score profile, while Timed Up and Go measures the time needed for one functional task sequence: rising from a chair, walking 3 meters, turning around, and sitting back down. Both are used as fall-risk screening, but Tinetti gives a more detailed picture of which balance and gait components are impaired.
What Tinetti score indicates high fall risk?
The commonly used interpretation is: 25 to 28 means low risk, 19 to 24 means moderate risk, and below 19 means high fall risk. These cutoffs come from the standard POMA assessment form referencing Tinetti’s 1986 publication.
How often should the Tinetti assessment be repeated?
Repeat frequency is determined by the treating healthcare professional — generally repeated when the condition changes, after an exercise or rehabilitation program, or as periodic monitoring, for example every few months. This calculator provides a re-evaluate button to make the next recording easier.
Who should perform the Tinetti assessment?
Assessment should ideally be performed by trained healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, physicians, or nurses who understand the observation technique for each item. This calculator helps with recording and scoring, but does not replace professional clinical assessment.
Does a perfect score of 28 mean an older adult will not fall?
No. A score of 28 indicates low risk according to this instrument, but any older adult can still fall due to other factors such as environment, medications, vision, or acute conditions. The Tinetti result is a risk estimate for screening, not a guarantee and not a diagnosis.
What equipment is needed for the Tinetti test?
You need a hard armless chair, a stopwatch or wristwatch, and a flat walkway 15 feet long (about 4.6 meters). Administration usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Patients may use the walking aids they normally use daily.
Do walking aids affect the Tinetti score?
Yes. The POMA form allows patients to use their usual aids, and aid use is recorded on several items such as immediate standing balance, path deviation, and trunk posture. Record the aids used so results can be compared consistently at the next evaluation.
Related tools
- Berg Balance Scale — 14 functional balance tasks, 0–56 score.
- Morse Fall Scale — inpatient fall-risk screening, 0–125 score.
Item structure source: Tinetti ME. Performance-oriented assessment of mobility problems in elderly patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1986;34:119–126; scoring descriptions PT Bulletin 10 Feb 1993.