The evaluation of depression in the elderly: A modification of the geriatric depression scale (GDS)

A modified version of the GDS was created to manage the difficulties often encountered with very old respondents. The scale was applied to 195 old persons (mean age of 78 years), males and females, community-dwelling, and nursing home residents. Results indicate that the participants comprehend significantly better the modified than the original version of the scale, and both versions retain comparably good psychometric properties.