Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)

This tool helps quantify the evaluation of older adults' gait and balance. A hard, armless chair, a timer, and a short walkway are required.

Balance Assessment

Sitting Balance

(0) Leans or slides in chair

(1) Steady, safe

Rises from Chair

(0) Unable without help

(1) Able, uses arms to help

(2) Able without using arms

Attempts to Arise

(0) Unable without help

(1) Able, requires > 1 attempt

(2) Able to rise, 1 attempt

Immediate Standing Balance (first 5 seconds)

(0) Unsteady (swaggers, moves feet, trunk sway)

(1) Steady, but uses walker or other support

(2) Steady, without walker or other support

Standing Balance

(0) Unsteady

(1) Steady, but wide stance (> 4" apart) and uses support

(2) Narrow stance without support

Nudged (sternal push x3)

(0) Begins to fall

(1) Staggers, grabs, catches self

(2) Steady

Eyes Closed

(0) Unsteady

(1) Steady

Turning 360 Degrees - Steps

(0) Discontinuous steps

(1) Continuous steps

Turning 360 Degrees - Stability

(0) Unsteady (grabs, staggers)

(1) Steady

Sitting Down

(0) Unsafe (misjudges distance, falls into chair)

(1) Uses arms or not a smooth motion

(2) Safe, smooth motion

Gait Assessment

Initiation of Gait

(0) Any hesitance or multiple attempts to start

(1) No hesitancy

Step Length & Height (Right)

(0) R foot does not pass L stance foot

(1) R foot passes L stance foot

(0) R foot does not clear floor completely

(1) R foot clears floor completely

Step Length & Height (Left)

(0) L foot does not pass R stance foot

(1) L foot passes R stance foot

(0) L foot does not clear floor completely

(1) L foot clears floor completely

Step Continuity

(0) Stopping or discontinuity between steps

(1) Steps appear continuous

Path

(0) Marked deviation

(1) Mild/moderate deviation or uses aid

(2) Straight walking without aid

Trunk

(0) Marked sway or uses walking aid

(1) No sway, but flexion or spreads arms

(2) No sway, flexion, or use of arms/aid

Walking Stance

(0) Heels apart

(1) Heels almost touching while walking

Results

Balance Score
0 / 16

Gait Score
0 / 12

Total POMA Score
0 / 28

Select options to see fall risk interpretation.