What is the Geriatric Depression Scale used for?

• A. A Cognitive Screening Test
• B. A Physical Function Assessment
• C. A Clinician-Administered Mood Test
• D. A Self-Report Tool for Assessing Depression in Older Adults

Answer: (D)

The Geriatric Depression Scale is a self-report screening tool used to identify depressive symptoms in older adults. It consists of a short set of mood-related questions that the person answers themselves, focusing on how they’ve felt over a recent period. Because it emphasizes mood and outlook rather than physical symptoms, it helps distinguish depressive symptoms from medical illness that can accompany aging. The resulting score indicates how many depressive symptoms are present and to what extent, guiding whether a more thorough evaluation is needed. It is not used as a diagnostic test on its own, and it’s designed for self-administration rather than cognitive screening or measuring physical function.