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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Downton Fall Risk Index is a brief fall-risk tool that scores key domains including prior falls, medication-related risk, sensory deficits, confusion, and gait safety. It is used in many hospital and long-term-care contexts to identify patients who may benefit from intensified fall-prevention measures.
Formula: Downton total = falls (0-1) + medication categories (0-5) + sensory deficits (0-3) + mental state (0-1) + gait (0-1), range 0-11; common high-risk threshold >=3.
The >=3 threshold is commonly used in practice, but local programs may tune operational definitions and response protocols.
Higher totals indicate higher fall risk and support proactive prevention-oriented care planning.
Use in older adults and inpatient settings during admission and interval reassessment to structure fall-risk triage.
Tool performance may vary by population and setting; periodic reassessment and contextual judgment remain essential.
For related assessments, see Morse Fall Scale, Timed Up and Go and 4m Walking Speed.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Assess inpatient fall risk with the Morse Fall Scale. Scores categorize patients as low, moderate, or high risk to guide fall-prevention protocols.
GeriatricsAssess mobility and fall risk with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. TUG >12 seconds indicates high fall risk. Times the performance of standing, walking 3 meters, turning, and returning to seated.
GeriatricsCalculate usual gait speed over 4 meters (m/s), a key functional vital sign in older adults.
GeriatricsAssess concern about falling with the 7-item Short FES-I score (7-28).