Screening Depression Aging Services Clients

The greater specificity of the PHQ-9 is an advantage over the PHQ-2 in aging service settings in which false-positive tests have potentially high cost. The PHQ-2/9 performed equally well as the PHQ-9, but would be more efficient for the agency to administer. Combined with an appropriate referral system to healthcare providers, use of the PHQ-2/9 sequence by aging services personnel can efficiently assist in reducing the burden of late-life depression.