7 validated clinical outcome measures for geriatricians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and primary care clinicians. Every calculator includes validated cut-off scores, severity classifications, and EMR-ready documentation notes — no sign-up required.
No calculators found. Try "depression", "frailty", "ADL", "SPPB", or "falls".
Mood & Depression
Depression screening is one of the most critical components of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The GDS-15 is the validated standard for depression screening in adults aged 65 and above — required for Medicare Annual Wellness Visits and included in the SNF Minimum Data Set (MDS 3.0). At a cut-off of 5 or above, the GDS-15 has a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 78%. Its 15-question Yes/No format makes it fast, low-burden, and suitable for cognitively impaired older adults who struggle with multi-category response scales. A positive screen should always prompt further clinical evaluation by a qualified mental health professional.
Functional Independence
Functional independence assessment determines care needs, rehabilitation goals, and eligibility for home health and skilled nursing benefits. The Katz ADL Index (6 basic self-care activities) and Lawton IADL Scale (8 community living activities) are used together to capture the full functional picture — the Katz identifies who needs physical care, the Lawton identifies who can live independently in the community. IADL impairment typically precedes ADL impairment and is more sensitive to early cognitive decline, making the Lawton the preferred early detection tool. Both are required components of the SNF Minimum Data Set.
Frailty Assessment
Frailty assessment identifies older adults at highest risk of adverse outcomes from illness, surgery, and hospitalisation. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is the fastest frailty tool (1–2 minutes, single global rating 1–9) and is widely used in emergency departments, ICUs, and surgical preadmission. Frailty is confirmed at CFS ≥ 5. The Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) takes longer but uniquely combines cognitive screening (clock drawing), physical performance (TUG), and multi-domain health assessment — making it the preferred tool when detailed frailty profiling is needed for care planning. EFS frailty threshold is ≥ 7.
Physical Performance
Objective physical performance measurement predicts disability, falls, nursing home admission, and mortality in older adults more accurately than self-report alone. The SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery) combines three timed tests — balance, gait speed, and chair stands — into a 0–12 score that predicts all-cause mortality with a hazard ratio of 1.9–2.4 for the lowest versus highest quartile. A score ≤ 9 identifies high-risk individuals requiring intervention. The Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) addresses the psychological dimension of fall risk — fear of falling affects 25–55% of older adults and predicts future falls, activity restriction, and social isolation even in those who have never fallen.
Why Use MedicalCalculatorHub for Geriatric Assessment?
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All Scoring Criteria Visible
Every scoring option displays the complete criterion — so you can score the Katz ADL, GDS-15, or SPPB at the bedside without a paper reference guide. All 15 GDS questions include the depressive answer key. All 10 EFS domains include administration instructions.
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Validated Cut-off Scores & MCID
Every calculator includes validated cut-off thresholds — GDS-15 ≥ 5, CFS ≥ 5, EFS ≥ 7, SPPB ≤ 9 — with sensitivity and specificity data. The SPPB includes an MCID tracker (1 point) to document clinically meaningful change between assessments.
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EMR-Ready Documentation
Each calculator generates a complete, formatted clinical note for direct entry into any EHR — including tool name, reference citation, all individual item scores, total score, severity classification, cut-off comparison, and clinical management guidance. One-click copy to clipboard.
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Live Score Updates
Scores update in real time as you select responses — no submit button, no page reload. The live dashboard shows current total, severity category, and cut-off status as you work through each domain. Progress bar tracks completion across all items.
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SNF & Medicare Documentation
All calculators meet CMS documentation requirements. The GDS-15 satisfies the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit depression screening requirement. Katz ADL satisfies SNF Minimum Data Set (MDS 3.0) functional assessment requirements. SPPB satisfies physical performance documentation for geriatric care planning.
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Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
No other free calculator site covers all key CGA domains in one location — mood (GDS-15), basic ADLs (Katz), instrumental ADLs (Lawton), frailty (CFS, EFS), physical performance (SPPB), and fall-related psychology (FES-I). All free, all evidence-based, no login.
Geriatric assessment calculators are validated screening and outcome measurement tools used to quantify function, mood, frailty, and fall risk in older adults aged 65 and above.
A Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a multidisciplinary diagnostic process that evaluates the medical, functional, psychological, and social capabilities of an older person to develop a coordinated plan for treatment and long-term follow-up.
The calculators on this page cover the key CGA domains and are designed for use by clinicians across geriatric medicine, primary care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, and allied health.
Choosing the Right Geriatric Assessment Tool
Depression screening:GDS-15 — 5 minutes, Yes/No format, sensitivity 81%, meets Medicare Annual Wellness Visit requirement. Public domain.
Basic ADL function:Katz ADL — 5 minutes, hierarchical 6-item scale, required for SNF MDS. Public domain.
Community living capacity:Lawton IADL — 5 minutes, 8 domains, best early indicator of functional decline. Public domain.
Frailty — rapid triage:Clinical Frailty Scale — 1–2 minutes, single global rating 1–9, used in ICU and emergency.
Frailty — detailed profiling:Edmonton Frail Scale — 10 minutes, 9 domains including cognition (clock drawing) and physical performance (TUG).
Fear of falling:FES-I — 5 minutes, 16 activities, high concern at ≥ 28, predicts future falls and activity restriction.
Geriatric Assessment in US Clinical Practice
In the United States, geriatric outcome measures are required documentation for several Medicare and Medicaid programmes.
The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) requires depression screening — the GDS-15 meets this requirement.
The SNF Minimum Data Set (MDS 3.0) requires Katz ADL, GDS-15, and fall risk assessment for all Medicare and Medicaid skilled nursing facility residents.
The Medicare Home Health OASIS requires ADL functional assessment using items from the Katz framework.
Having objective, documented scores from validated tools supports insurance authorisation, discharge planning, and skilled care justification.
When to Refer for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
A full multidisciplinary CGA is indicated when screening tools identify significant impairment.
Consider CGA referral for: GDS-15 ≥ 5 (positive depression screen); Katz ADL ≤ 4 (dependent in 2+ ADLs); Lawton IADL ≤ 5 (community independence impaired); CFS ≥ 5 or EFS ≥ 7 (frailty confirmed);
SPPB ≤ 9 (low physical performance); or FES-I ≥ 28 (high fall concern with likely activity restriction).
Any single positive screen in a high-risk older adult warrants further clinical evaluation and, where available, geriatric specialist review.
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Nikhil Mahajan, PT, MPTDoctor of Physical Therapy · Reviewed May 29, 2026 · View full credentials