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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST) is a functional staging framework for dementia progression, especially Alzheimer's disease, from normal function (stage 1) to very severe dependence (stage 7 sub-stages). It is commonly used for prognosis framing, care planning, and hospice-eligibility discussions.
Formula: Stage-based functional classification (1 to 7f), not a summed numeric score.
FAST remains widely used in dementia care workflows and hospice-aligned staging discussions, especially for functional trajectory tracking.
Higher FAST stages indicate more advanced functional dependence and greater long-term caregiving/support needs.
Use in longitudinal dementia care to structure stage communication, planning needs, and severity tracking.
FAST was developed around Alzheimer's disease progression and may map less cleanly to non-Alzheimer dementia patterns.
For related assessments, see SLUMS Score, MoCA Score and Katz ADL.
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.
Classify SLUMS cognitive-screen totals (0-30) to support triage for fuller neurocognitive evaluation.
Mental HealthInterpret Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. The leading cognitive screening tool for mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
GeriatricsAssess independence in six basic activities of daily living with the Katz ADL Index. Scores range from 0 (dependent) to 6 (fully independent).
GeriatricsAssess independence in higher-level daily tasks using the Lawton IADL scale (score 0-8).