A patient assessment apparatus, such as for balance assessment, includes an elongated member having a length and first, second and third positions along the length, a first receiving member situated at the first position, and a second receiving member situated at the third position, the second position situated between the first and third positions. The first and second receiving members are each arranged to receive a marker from a patient. Reach characteristic data is collected from a patient using the balance assessment apparatus, and the reach characteristic data is analyzed to determine whether the patient has a balance deficit.