Screening older adults at risk of falling with the Tinetti balance scale

In a prospective study of 225 community dwelling people 75 years and older, we tested the validity of the Tinetti balance scale to predict Individuals who will fail at least once during the following year. A score of 36 or le ss identified 7 of 10 fallers with 70% sensitivity and 52% specificity. Wit h this cut-off score, 53% of the individuals were screened positive and pre sented a two-fold risk of falling. These characteristics support the use of this test to screen older people at risk of falling in order to include th em in a preventive intervention.