Brief Description
The Geriatric Depression Scale -Short Form (GDS-S) is a 15 item self-report assessment used to identify depression in older adults. The GDS-S is specifically designed for ease of use to minimize the physical and cognitive burden on older adult patients. It consists of a series of questions where respondents answer "yes" or "no" based on how they have felt over the past week. The GDS is widely used in clinical and research settings due to its simplicity and effectiveness. It is a valuable tool for healthcare providers to screen for depression in older adults and is validated in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Assessment Administration Type
Self-report
Number of questions
15
Age Range for Administration
55+
Recommended Frequency of Administration
Weekly
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
The respondent answers each of the 15 questions with either "Yes" or "No." One point is given for “Yes” responses on items indicating depression (Questions 1, 5, 7, 11, and 13). On items that indicate a lack of depression (Questions 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 14), one point is given for each “No” response. The total number of points given is summed. Higher scores indicate higher likelihood of depression.
Score | Interpretation |
0-4 | Within normal limits |
5-9 | Suggestive of depression, should warrant a follow-up interview for further assessment |
10-15 | Almost always depression |
Blueprint Adjustments
N/A
Clinical Considerations
Estimated time for completion: 5-8 minutes.
Results for use with older adults with cognitive impairment are mixed.
The GDS-S is meant to enhance clinical decision-making. It should not serve as the sole basis for making a diagnosis.
Citation
Relevant Articles + Further Resources
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