Berg Balance Scale
The Berg Balance Scale is a widely used clinical assessment tool for measuring balance and mobility in older adults and other individuals with impairments due to illness or injury. Download our free PDF guide to help you understand the scale better.
Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.
What Is A Berg Balance Scale?
As we age, our balance and mobility can be affected significantly. A range of factors, including neurological impairments, orthopedic issues, and chronic illnesses, can cause balance issues.
Developed by Katherine Berg in 1989, the is an evidence-based clinical assessment tool used to measure balance and mobility in older adults and other individuals who may have impairments due to illness or injury.
This scale evaluates an individual’s ability to perform everyday activities such as getting off a chair, reaching for objects on a shelf, or stepping up onto a step. Each task is scored on a 0-4 scale, where 0 indicates the individual cannot perform the task and 4 indicates they can do so independently, with no difficulty.
By identifying balance impairments, the Berg Balance Scale helps healthcare professionals create personalized plans and interventions for their patients to improve their quality of life and overall balance.
Printable Berg Balance Scale
Download this Berg Balance Scale in order to assess your client’s balance and mobility.
How To Use This Berg Balance Scale
Utilizing this free Berg Balance Scale template is quick and easy. Here are the steps:
Step One: Download the free Scale
You can access our free template using the link on this page. You can also find it within your Carepatron app or our nifty resources library.
Step Two: Print or use it digitally
Once you have downloaded the free PDF, you can print it or open it digitally. Explain the scale to your patient before you start, and clarify the instructions if needed.
Step Three: Assess their balance
Go through the 14 items on the scale and score them based on the 0-4 scale. Note their scores and any comments you want to make while talking to the patient.
Step Four: Analyze and plan
Once you have finished the scale, look through the total score and analyze what it tells you. Based on this information, you can then create a personalized plan of action to help the patient improve their balance and mobility.
Step Five: Store the assessment
You can store your patient's results in Carepatron for future reference. This will help you track progress and ensure that any interventions you create are effective.
Berg Balance Scale Example (Sample)
To illustrate how this template is used in real life, we've prepared a Berg Balance Scale example. This will give you an idea of what tasks are included in the scale and how they're scored. You can view the sample here or download it as a PDF for reference.
Download this Berg Balance Scale Example (Sample) here:
When Would You Typically Use A Berg Balance Scale?
There are tons of situations where the Berg Balance Scale becomes handy. Some of these include:
When assessing the risk of falls and mobility in older adults
You can use this test to identify any impairments in balance or mobility. It can also help healthcare professionals create tailored interventions that reduce the risk of falls and injuries.
When assessing the progress of balance therapy
The Berg Balance Scale helps healthcare professionals track the progress of their patient’s therapy over time. This means they can make sure the interventions they are providing are effective.
When assessing pre- and post-operative balance
Using the Berg Balance Scale, you can measure a patient’s balance before and after surgery. This helps you to get an accurate picture of the patient’s overall balance.
During annual health assessments for elderly individuals
The Berg Balance Scale can be used in annual health assessments for the elderly. This can help you identify any changes or trends in balance or mobility over time.
Who Can Use this Berg Balance Scale?
Tons of healthcare professionals can benefit from using the Berg Balance Scale. These include:
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Nurses
- Geriatricians
- Orthopedic surgeons
- General practitioners
No matter your field, the Berg Balance Scale is a simple and reliable tool that can help you assess balance and mobility in your patients. With this resource, you can gather vital information to create effective action plans for individuals of all ages. This can help to reduce the risk of falls and improve your client’s quality of life.
Benefits Of Free Berg Balance Scale
Using a free Berg Balance Scale template makes assessing patients and tracking their progress more manageable. Here are some of the benefits of this free template:
The scale can be completed in either a clinical or home setting
This allows you to evaluate your patient at any time and place. You can also use this to assess your patient’s progress while they practice at home.
It’s completely free and downloadable
You don’t have to worry about paying a fee or hunting down the assessment. You can download it using the link on this page or through the Carepatron app, and quickly assess your patient’s balance and mobility.
It’s an excellent tool for creating tailored interventions
The Berg Balance Scale helps you identify any deficits and issues in balance or mobility. You can then use this information to tailor interventions for your patient's needs.
Why Use Carepatron For Berg Balance Scale Software?
Carepatron is the perfect solution for nurses looking for an easy and convenient way to manage their patient care needs. With this comprehensive platform, it's easier than ever to keep track of patient information, access clinical data, monitor medication schedules, and more. The intuitive interface makes it easy to stay organized and on top of all your tasks.
With Carepatron, you can access the most up-to-date medical records from any device or location. This helps ensure you give your patient the best and most effective care possible. Additionally, the platform offers a variety of tools to help streamline processes such as scheduling appointments, customizing templates, securing patient records, and automating payments and billing.
Give Carepatron a try today and see how it can help simplify your patient care experience. With this platform, you'll save time, money, and energy—all while providing your patients with the highest quality of service.
.png)
Reference
Berg, K., Wood-Dauphinee, S. L., Williams, J. I., & Gayton, D. (1989). Berg Balance Scale (BBS) [Database record].
Commonly asked questions
The Berg Balance Scale consists of 14 items and takes about 15 minutes to complete. You can use it to assess an individual’s balance and mobility.
This scale can provide vital information to create effective plans of action to reduce the risk of falls and improve an individual’s quality of life.
The Berg Balance Scale measures an individual’s overall balance. It covers various tasks like standing, sitting, reaching, turning, and more.
