Introduction
The Tinetti Assessment Tool, also called the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), is a simple test that clinicians use to check how well a person can balance and walk.2 It was created by Dr. Mary Tinetti in 1986 to help find older adults who are at risk of falling.2 Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in people over 65, so catching problems early can save lives.
The test has two parts. The first part looks at balance through 9 items, worth up to 16 points.1 The second part looks at gait (how a person walks) through 7 items, worth up to 12 points.1 The two scores are added together for a total score out of 28.1 A higher score means better mobility and a lower chance of falling.1
Scores are grouped into three risk levels:
- 18 or below: High fall risk
- 19 to 23: Moderate fall risk
- 24 to 28: Low fall risk
This Tinetti Calculator lets you score each item, then gives you the total score, fall risk level, and a full breakdown of results. It is meant for use by clinicians in rehabilitation, geriatric care, and physical therapy settings. Use it at the bedside or in the clinic to guide treatment plans and track a patient's progress over time.
How to Use Our Tinetti Assessment Calculator
This calculator helps you score the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). Enter patient details and score each balance and gait item. The tool will give you a total score out of 28 and a fall risk level.
Patient Name: Type the full name of the person being tested.
Date of Birth: Pick the patient's date of birth from the calendar.
Date of Assessment: Pick the date the test is done. Today's date is filled in for you.
Assessor Name: Type the name of the clinician doing the test.
Assistive Device Used: Type what device the patient uses, such as a cane, walker, or none.
Balance Assessment (Items 1 to 9): Watch the patient sit, stand, and turn. For each of the 9 balance items, pick the option that best matches what you see. Items are worth 0 to 1 or 0 to 2 points, with a total of 16 points possible.
Gait Assessment (Items 10 to 16): Watch the patient walk at their usual pace, then back at a rapid but safe pace, using their usual walking aid. For each of the 7 gait items, pick the option that best matches what you see. Item 11 has four parts: step length and foot clearance for each foot. Path and trunk are scored 0 to 2 points, and every other gait question 0 to 1, with a total of 12 points possible.
Clinical Notes: Use the notes box under each item to write down anything you notice during the test. These notes are optional and do not change the score.
Calculate: Press the Calculate button to see your results. The tool adds up your balance score and gait score to get a total out of 28. A score of 18 or below means high fall risk. A score of 19 to 23 means moderate fall risk. A score of 24 or above means low fall risk.
Reset: Press the Reset button to clear all answers and start a new assessment.
What Is the Tinetti Assessment?
The Tinetti Assessment, also called the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), is a simple test that clinicians use to check how well a person can balance and walk.2 It was created by Dr. Mary Tinetti in 1986 to measure balance and walking in older adults, including their fall risk.2
How Does the Tinetti Test Work?
The test has two parts. The first part is the Balance Assessment, which looks at 9 tasks like sitting, standing, turning, and sitting back down.1 This part is worth up to 16 points.1 The second part is the Gait Assessment, which watches how a person walks. It checks things like step length, foot clearance, path straightness, and trunk sway.1 This part is worth up to 12 points.1
A clinician watches the patient do each task and scores it on the spot. The two parts are added together for a total score out of 28.
What Do the Scores Mean?
- 24–28: Low fall risk
- 19–23: Moderate fall risk
- 18 or below: High fall risk
A lower score means the person has more trouble with balance or walking and is more likely to fall.1 A higher score means they move safely and steadily.
Who Should Take This Test?
The Tinetti Assessment is most often used for older adults (ages 65 and up), and it has also been used for people with conditions that affect movement, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis.2 It is widely used in hospital, outpatient, and rehabilitation settings. Alongside the Tinetti, clinicians may use a BIMS Calculator to screen for cognitive impairment, since mental status can also affect fall risk.
Why Is the Tinetti Assessment Important?
Falls are a leading cause of injury in older adults. The Tinetti test helps care teams spot problems early so they can create a plan to improve strength, balance, and safety. It also helps track progress over time. When scores go up after treatment, it can show that therapy is working, but one person's total should rise by at least 5 points before the change is read as real.3
For a comprehensive geriatric assessment, the Tinetti is often used together with other standardized tools. The Barthel Index Calculator measures independence in activities of daily living, while the Modified Barthel Index Calculator offers a more granular version of that same assessment.
This test takes about 10 to 15 minutes and needs only a hard, armless chair, a stopwatch, and a short walkway.2 It is widely used to check balance and walking in older adults.3