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The Geriatric Depression Scale: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

In 1982, J. A. Yesavitch and colleagues developed a self-assessment report called the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for helping the elderly identify whether or not they are suffering from depression. The report consists of 30 self-assessment questions, each of which needs an answer in ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

This simple scale can be used easily by healthy people, physically ill individuals, and those who are suffering from a moderate degree of cognitive impairment. In 1986, a shorter version of the Geriatric Depression Scale was developed which selectively included 15 most relevant questions from the longer form. This scale is still use today as a quick tool for identifying elderly people suffering from or prone to depression.

Significance of the Geriatric Depression Scale
The Geriatric Depression Scale is very important in both communities and general population because depression is quite common among older people, though this does not mean that depression is a direct effect of age. However, suicide associated with severe depression is most prevalent among older people (usually 65 and above) and hence it is extremely important to identify depressive feelings and thoughts in senior citizens in order to make early intervention possible.

Unlike other standard assessment scales using graduated responses (e.g. the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, or the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale), the Geriatric Depression Scale makes use of simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ assessment questions that make the process of assessment quick and easy.

Use and Results of the Geriatric Depression Scale
Each answer to a question in the GDS carries one point, if it matches that on the scoring grid, and an individual’s cumulative score is rated on the grid. The questions are generally designed on the main idea of how an individual feels about his/her life. A cumulative score in the range of 0 to 9 is considered as normal (not depressed); a score of 10 to19 as mildly depressed; and that ranging from 20 to 30 as severely depressed.

Validity and Reliability of the Geriatric Depression Scale
Both clinical practice and research have found the Geriatric Depression Scale to be highly reliable in determining the presence and degree of depression in elderly individuals. However, it must be remembered that the GDS is not meant to replace clinical diagnosis by a mental health professional. It is just a useful tool of assessment for screening purposes of adults who are suffering from depression. It is also helpful in monitoring the presence/level of depression in older adults over time. So far, GDS has not been found useful in determining the degree of suicidal tendency (or risk) in a depressed person.