What Is The Geriatric Depression Scale, And Why Is It Important?

Medically reviewed by Paige Henry, LMSW, J.D.
Updated May 14, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

When people think of depression, they may think of teenagers or middle-aged adults. However, depression among older people is common, as well. Psychologists recognized the need to support older adults who might be living with depression and developed the Geriatric Depression Scale to help identify these individuals. Understanding this scale and its significance can offer you or an older adult in your life support with mental health.

Therapy is for everyone, regardless of your age

What is the Geriatric Depression Scale?

Developed in 1982 by JA Yesavage and colleagues, the Geriatric Depression Scale is an assessment tool for identifying depression in older adults. Healthcare workers often use it as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment at a doctor's office, nursing home, hospital, or therapy appointment. 

This scale is only used for older adults. Because it is designed to be simple, it can be used for older people with cognitive impairments or who are seriously ill. While a more complex test might be impossible, this assessment is designed to meet their unique needs.

How does the scale work?

The person giving the scale, often a psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician, asks a series of questions. Each question requires a yes or no response from the older adult. When the individual has answered all the questions, the test is scored.

Long-form and short-form scales

There are two forms of the Geriatric Depression Scale. The long-form version includes 30 questions, and the short-form has 15 questions taken from the long-form scale. The short form takes less time. Therefore, it's often more appropriate for people with difficulty sitting still, staying focused, or interacting with others.

The long form of the scale covers more symptoms of depression, although the questions most closely related to depression are also on the short form. The short form may be used for screening, and the long form for a more thorough assessment. However, the short form is used more often because it's simple, takes less than seven minutes to complete, and is still reliable.

Scoring the scale

For both the short-form and long-form tests, the scoring sheet lists the answers present in depressed individuals. The more of these answers the person chooses, the more severe the depression might be. For the 30-question long form, the number of responses the person chooses from the list reveals their level of depression as follows:

  • 0-9 Matches: No depression 
  • 10-19 Matches: Mild to moderate depression 
  • 20-30 Matches: Severe depression 

The interpretation of the number of matches for the short form is different and is as follows: 

  • 0-5 Matches: No depression 
  • Over Five Matches: Possible depression 
  • Over Ten Matches: Strong likelihood of depression 

Why is the Geriatric Depression Scale important?

The Geriatric Depression Scale is a valuable tool for assessing older people's mental health that goes beyond gathering information. This tool targets a population with many risk factors for depression, and depression can affect older adults differently than younger people. Below are a few reasons this scale was developed. 

Depression is common among elderly people

Geriatric psychiatry focuses on preventing, evaluating, and treating mental illness in older adults, including depression. Depression, although not a part of normal aging, often happens to older adults, especially those with serious health challenges or living in a caregiving environment. While many older people find satisfaction in life despite the difficulties of aging, depression affects from 1% to 13.5% of older adults, depending on their physical health and where they live.

They face specific risk factors relating to aging

Older adults experience more risks for depression, including those that younger adults may not experience. 80% of older adults have at least one serious health concern, while nearly half have two or more. Because health concerns can cause pain, worry, and loss of functioning, they can influence mood dramatically.

Older people also experience more losses of loved ones later in life. The people you grew up with and friends your age are aging as you are. More deaths can be associated with a higher risk of depression. 

The older adults who are most at risk are those who:

  • Are female
  • Live alone
  • Are divorced
  • Are widows 
  • Have a low education level
  • Are experiencing cognitive decline
  • Use substances 
  • Are physically ill
  • Are on multiple medications for physical illnesses
  • Have financial problems
  • Have trouble taking care of themselves

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Depression affects the elderly in serious ways

Depression can severely impact anyone but may be more severe in some elderly individuals. Older adults who are depressed may struggle to care for their basic needs and may become dependent on care from others. 

Older adults might also experience more significant cognitive decline when they are depressed. If they do recover from their depression, they're more likely to have a relapse than younger people are.

Older adults may not recognize depression

When elderly people are experiencing symptoms of depression, those around them may write off their difficulties as a natural reaction to what's happening in their lives. However, depression is a severe mental illness. Without the Geriatric Depression Scale and other tools for assessing the older person's mental health, they might not know to reach out for help. 

Next steps after evaluation

After your doctor scores your scale, the next step is getting treatment if needed. Below are a few of the most common treatment options for older adults. 

Psychotherapy

Getting therapy can be crucial to an older depressed person's mental well-being. A therapist can provide comfort and nonjudgmental listening and help them learn coping skills for later life. 

Therapy can help older adults cope with the following:

  • Retirement
  • Physical illnesses and injuries
  • Cognitive challenges 
  • Separation from loved ones
  • Divorce
  • Loneliness

The main goal of psychotherapy for older adults is to provide support for:

  • Ego or self-esteem
  • Self-control
  • Ability to be hopeful
  • Relationships with the supportive people in their lives
  • Ability to handle challenges rationally
  • Ability to adapt to changes 

Other types of therapy

Aside from the many forms of talk therapy available, other therapeutic modalities or types may be beneficial. For example, older people might need occupational therapy to help them manage their daily functioning and activities more efficiently. Expressive therapies can help them express their feelings through art, dance, or music. Some older adults may find handicrafts like knitting, crocheting, or leatherworking therapeutic as well.

Social support

Getting social support is often critical to older adults. Those who live alone require a chance to be with other people regularly. Often, support groups for older adults are available in the community. Many older adults find companionship and support at their place of worship, community center, or through volunteer work. 

Medications

Medications are sometimes prescribed to older adults in the way they are prescribed to younger people. However, antidepressants may be less effective in older adults. For people with physical illnesses, serious injuries, and disabilities, medications may help less than those who don't have those problems. A combined approach of psychotherapy and medications often works best to relieve the condition.

Therapy is for everyone, regardless of your age

Alternative treatment options 

Online therapy is a flexible, convenient option with many benefits for older people who score high on the Geriatric Depression Scale. Getting around can be demanding as you age. Still, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp lets you attend treatment from the comfort of your home or anywhere you have an internet connection. In addition, you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with your therapist. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, research shows that online therapy is an effective treatment. One review found that online therapy may be more effective than in-person treatment and that people were equally satisfied with either type of therapy. 

Takeaway

It may be challenging to pick up on depression in older people. For this reason, the Geriatric Depression Scale is a tool designed to evaluate whether older adults are experiencing symptoms of depression. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with depression, consider contacting a professional to assess the risk for this condition. You're not alone, and support is available.
Depression is treatable, and you're not alone
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