A 10-second test to spot fall risk in aging parents

Falls remain the top source of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for people older than 65, affecting roughly 14 million individuals annually. Dr. Anita Chandra, a geriatrician, advises caregivers to use the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, a four-step screen that takes about ten seconds, to catch early warning signs. She watches how a person rises from a chair without hand support, walks—looking for slower pace, short steps, or lack of arm swing—turns, and sits back down, noting any instability or loss of control.

These observations can signal sarcopenia, reduced ankle mobility, or declining balance, which often begin around age 50. Spotting such changes allows families to seek a physical-therapy evaluation, medication review, vision check, or strength-building program. Dr. Chandra urges anyone noticing altered movement to discuss it with the individual's primary-care clinician.