ASSESSMENTS
FAST

Functional Assessment Staging Tool

Functional Assessment Staging Tool

The Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST) is a seven-stage scale used to assess functional decline in individuals with dementia. Widely used in neurology, geriatrics, and memory care, FAST supports staging and disease progression tracking by evaluating a patient's ability to carry out daily activities across seven distinct functional stages.

Delivered digitally through the BrainCheck platform, FAST supports structured clinical staging and longitudinal monitoring, and can be combined with cognitive assessments and caregiver tools for comprehensive dementia care.

Benefits include:

  • Seven-stage framework provides structured assessment of functional decline in dementia.
  • Supports staging, prognosis discussions, and longitudinal disease progression monitoring.
  • Structured digital delivery enables consistent staging across visits and clinicians.
  • Complements cognitive testing and caregiver tools for comprehensive dementia assessment.

What FAST Assesses


Functional abilities and level of independence across seven dementia severity stages.


Loss of independence over time as dementia progresses.




Disease severity and functional decline to support prognosis and care planning.


Common Clinical Use Cases

  • Dementia staging in neurology, geriatrics, and memory clinic settings.
  • Longitudinal monitoring of functional decline and disease progression.
  • Care planning and prognosis discussions with patients and families.
  • Supporting documentation of dementia stage for clinical and care coordination purposes.

On the BrainCheck Platform

  • Structured digital staging with clear seven-stage framework.
  • Longitudinal tracking of FAST scores across visits to monitor disease progression.
  • Integrates with cognitive assessments and caregiver tools for comprehensive dementia monitoring.
  • Supports coordinated dementia care within the broader BrainCheck Platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key things to know about the FAST

What is the Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST)?

FAST is a seven-stage scale used to assess functional decline in individuals with dementia, supporting staging and monitoring of disease progression.

What does the FAST measure?

FAST evaluates loss of functional abilities and independence across dementia stages, helping clinicians assess severity and progression over time.

Is FAST used for diagnosis of dementia?

No. FAST is not a diagnostic tool. It is used after a dementia diagnosis to stage disease severity and support care planning and prognosis discussions.

In what clinical settings is FAST commonly used?

FAST is commonly used in neurology, geriatrics, memory clinics, and dementia care settings, particularly when monitoring functional decline and disease progression.

How does using FAST on BrainCheck support dementia care workflows?

On BrainCheck, FAST is delivered with structured digital staging and longitudinal tracking, and can be used alongside cognitive assessments and caregiver tools to support comprehensive dementia monitoring.

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BrainCheck offers a broad library of clinical evaluation tools designed to support early identification, risk stratification, and longitudinal monitoring of cognitive health across clinical and research settings.

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