Resources for the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment based
Proactive and Personalised Primary Care of the Elderly
GDS
Geriatric Depression Scale
GDS-15 questions
Purpose : This is ideal for evaluating the clinical severity of depression, and therefore for monitoring treatment.
Admin time : 20 min
User Friendly : High
Administered by : Healthcare provider
Content : 15 questions pertaining to depression
Author : Yesavage JA, 1983
Copyright : Public domain
GDS-4 questions
Purpose : The 4 item Geriatric Depression Scale is suitable as a screening test for depressive symptoms in the elderly
Admin time : 3 min
User Friendly : High
Administered by : Health care provider or self administered
Content : 4 questions pertaining to depression
Author : Sheikh JI, 1986
Copyright : Public domain
GDS-30 questions
Purpose : This is the original full length GDS for evaluating the clinical severity of depression.
Admin time : 45 min
User Friendly : High
Administered by : Healthcare provider
Content : 30 questions pertaining to depression
Author : Yesavage JA, 1983
Copyright : Public domain
GDS
Advantages:
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free to use
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requires very little training to administer
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can be self-administered.
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accurate at identifying depression in older people
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translated into several languages
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can be used in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer's with accuracy
Disadvantages:
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not substitute for a diagnostic interview by mental health professionals. It is a useful screening tool in the clinical setting to facilitate assessment of depression in older adults especially when baseline measurements are compared to subsequent scores.
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does not assess for suicidality.
Accuracy :
sensitivity 85.1% and specificity between 88.9% and 100% (Jongenelis K, 2005)
This Tool is used in Depression
Back To : Depression
Depression is one of 4 sub-domains of the
Psychological Assessment
Back To : Psychological Assessment
The Psychological Assessment is one of 8 domains of the
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)
Back To : Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment