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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13) is a validated screening instrument for older adults that combines age, self-rated health, physical-function difficulty, and functional disability items. It helps identify individuals at increased risk of functional decline, hospitalization, and mortality who may benefit from closer follow-up and proactive care planning.
Formula: VES-13 total is computed from age points, self-rated health, physical-function points, and functional-disability points; >=3 indicates vulnerability.
Higher VES-13 scores indicate higher vulnerability and risk of functional decline, supporting intensified follow-up and proactive geriatric care planning.
Use in adults aged 65+ for rapid triage in primary care, oncology, perioperative pathways, and transitional care settings.
VES-13 is a screening framework and does not replace direct performance testing or comprehensive geriatric assessment.
For related assessments, see Lawton IADL, Katz ADL and Clinical Frailty Scale.
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 independence in higher-level daily tasks using the Lawton IADL scale (score 0-8).
GeriatricsAssess independence in six basic activities of daily living with the Katz ADL Index. Scores range from 0 (dependent) to 6 (fully independent).
GeriatricsAssess frailty using the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS 1–9): Very Fit to Terminally Ill. Used for ICU triage, surgical risk stratification, and goals-of-care discussions in elderly patients.
GeriatricsScreen frailty with the 7-item PRISMA-7 questionnaire (score 0-7; >=3 suggests frailty risk).