GDS-30
ValidatedGeriatric Depression Scale – Long Form (GDS-30)
Older adults (65+)Self~10 min30 questions
Answer each question Yes or No.
Report details · optional
Shown on the report and stored with the screening record. Use initials or a code, not full names.
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About this screener — evidence, source
The original 30-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale: simple yes/no questions about mood, worry, interest and outlook, avoiding somatic items that are confounded by physical illness in later life. Each depressive answer scores 1 (0–30). The 15-item short form is quicker and performed better in primary care.
Evidence · validated
Cut-offs (normal 0–9, mild 10–19, severe 20–30) are the original scoring from Yesavage et al. (1983) as given on the authors' official page. In a primary-care meta-analysis the GDS-30 had a pooled sensitivity of 77.4% and specificity of 65.4%; the authors of that review recommend the GDS-15 over the GDS-30 in primary care (Mitchell et al., J Affect Disord 2010;125:10–17).
Source & licence
Yesavage JA, Brink TL, Rose TL, et al. Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: a preliminary report. J Psychiatr Res. 1983;17(1):37–49.
Licence: Public domain — the authors' Stanford page states the scale is in the public domain, being partly the result of U.S. Federal support.
Official source ↗