Two goals of a fall risk assessment are to individualize interventions to the client risk profile;
and to maximize resource use by targeting interventions to individuals at greatest risk for fall
and fall-injury.35 The selection of a standardized and reliable multifactorial fall-risk tool is a
challenging decision, as practitioners need to consider the:client population;
• healthcare setting where it will be used;
• potential for staff acceptance, ease of use and training; and
• evidence that demonstrates the tool is valid and reliable.An example of a repository of fall-related assessment tools is available at
www.injuryresearch.bc.ca to support the decision-making process. Although there are many
fall risk assessment tools in use for acute, long-term care, and home health care settings the
following are the three basic categories of tools: