The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

How to use (GDS)

After taking the yes/no questionnaire depending on if the bolded answer is selected it will count as a point. A score of greater than 5 points is suggestive of depression and would warrant a follow up comprehensive assessment. A score of 10 or greater than 10 indicates depression.

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

Brief questionnaire 15 or 30 items that asks clients how they've felt over the past 7 days.

Complications of GDS

Does not substitute a diagnostic interview by mental health professionals. It does not assess for suicide.

Patient Population (GDS)

Healthy, medically ill and mild to moderately cognitively impaired older adults. It has been used in community, acute, and long term care settings.

Benefits of GDS

Useful screening tool in the clinical setting to facilitate assessment of depression in older adults, especially when baseline measurements are compared to subsequent scores. It takes 5-7 minutes to complete. Has 92% sensitivity and 89% specificity when evaluated against diagnostic criteria.