GDS-15: Geriatric Depression Scale

The GDS-15 is a validated 15-item yes/no depression scale specifically designed for older adults. Score 0–15; ≥5 indicates possible depression. Simple format suitable for older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment. Yesavage et al. (1982). Public domain.

What is the Geriatric Depression Scale?

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was developed by Jerome Yesavage, T. L. Brink, and colleagues (1982, 1983) specifically to address the unique challenges of measuring depression in older adults. Traditional depression scales often conflate somatic symptoms (fatigue, sleep problems, weight changes) with medical illness common in older patients, leading to false positives. The GDS was designed to minimize somatic items and focus on psychological and behavioral aspects of depression.

The original GDS contains 30 items. The GDS-15 Short Form, developed by Sheikh and Yesavage (1986), uses 15 yes/no questions, making it faster and suitable for patients with mild cognitive impairment. Each question is answered Yes or No; 10 items score 1 point for "Yes" and 5 items score 1 point for "No" (positive items are reverse-scored). Total scores range from 0 to 15.

The GDS is in the public domain and widely validated across diverse older adult populations, including those in residential care, with physical illness, and with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment. It has been translated into over 30 languages. A cutoff of ≥5 indicates possible depression warranting further evaluation.

Educational reference only. Cannot diagnose or replace clinical evaluation.

GDS-15 Score Interpretation

Sheikh & Yesavage (1986). Validated in community-dwelling older adults and residential care populations. The GDS does not directly assess suicidality.

Geriatric Depression Screening in HiBoop

GDS-15 alongside PHQ-9 and HAM-D, automated scoring and longitudinal tracking to monitor depression in older adult patient populations.