Originally developed by J.A.
Yesavage and colleagues in 1982, the GDS is a self-report instrument that uses a “yes/no” format.
Some sources estimate the incidence of depression among the elderly who live in the community at 8-15%.
HBSS / Getty Images
Among those who entered a nursing home in the prior year, that figure rises to greater than half.
It’s appropriate for healthy as well as medically ill adults and those with mild to moderate cognitive impairments.
For this reason, the GDS focuses specifically on psychiatric rather than somatic symptoms.
Are you basically satisfied with your life?
Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?
YES / NO
3.
Do you feel that your life is empty?
YES / NO
4.
Do you often get bored?
YES / NO
5.
Are you in good spirits most of the time?
YES / NO
6.
Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?
YES / NO
7.
Do you feel happy most of the time?
YES / NO
8.
Do you often feel helpless?
YES / NO
9.
Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things?
YES / NO
10.
Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most?
YES / NO
11.
Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?
YES / NO
12.
Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?
YES / NO
13.
Do you feel full of energy?
YES / NO
14.
Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?
YES / NO
15.
Do you think that most people are better off than you are?
YES / NO
Scoring
Each answer that indicates depression scores one point.
It requires very little training to administer and, in fact, can be self-administered.
The GDS has been translated into several different languages and is available as amobile phone app.
A Word From Verywell
Depression in the elderlyis very common, but it isn’t inevitable.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of depression, help is available.
Blazer DG.Depression in late life: Review and commentary.FOC.
Reliability and validity of the Geriatric Depression Scale.J Gerontol Nurs.
2021;16(7):e0253899.
2007;107(10):60-9. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000292204.52313.f3
