Introduction:
The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) is a research-validated questionnaire that screens for depressive symptoms in older adults. It asks fifteen straightforward yes-or-no questions about mood, engagement, and self-perception experienced during the previous week. Each response contributes to a simple score that helps indicate whether further evaluation for depression may be warranted.
You complete the questionnaire on a clean, reactive interface that highlights progress and lets you jump back to revise any item. When every question is answered, the tool instantly calculates your total, displays it on a colour-coded gauge, and provides concise plain-language guidance you can share with a clinician, carer, or family member.
Use this quick screen to monitor changes in mood or to prepare for a health-care appointment. Caution: scores may fluctuate with recent events or illness.
This assessment does not diagnose depression and must never replace professional evaluation.
Technical Details:
The scale assigns one point to answers indicating potential depression and zero to answers indicating its absence. Reverse-scored items invert this rule so that higher totals always reflect greater symptom severity.
| Range | Severity Band |
|---|---|
| 0 – 4 | Normal |
| 5 – 8 | Mild |
| 9 – 11 | Moderate |
| 12 – 15 | Severe |
- Fifteen binary items with individual reverse-scoring flags.
- Progressive disclosure keeps the interface focused.
- A client-side reactive engine calculates totals instantly.
- An interactive gauge visualises the score on a 0-15 arc.
- No network calls are made once the page loads.
All processing occurs locally in your browser for maximum privacy and speed.
Calculations & Scoring:
The tool converts each yes-or-no answer into a numeric value, sums the fifteen values, and maps the total to a severity band.
Answers suggesting depression receive one point; others receive zero.
The fifteen scores combine into a single total between 0 and 15.
The total is matched against the range table to label the severity band.
Final Result
The calculation returns a score between 0 and 15 along with its severity label.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Follow these practical steps to complete and interpret the questionnaire.
- Press the Start Assessment button to begin.
- Select Yes or No for each item; the progress bar updates automatically.
- Click any question in the list to revisit and change an answer.
- After the last response, review your colour-coded gauge, summary text, and printable table.
- Print or save the results if you plan to discuss them with a professional.
FAQ:
This section clears up common questions about the scale and the tool.
What does my score mean?
A higher number indicates more depressive symptoms. Refer to the severity table for guidance and consider follow-up with a qualified professional if you score 5 or above.
Who should take this assessment?
The scale is designed for adults aged 65 and older, but it can provide useful insights for anyone concerned about mood changes.
Is my data stored?
No. All answers remain within your browser session and are discarded when you close the page unless you choose to print or share them.
Can I retake the questionnaire?
Yes. Reloading the page clears previous responses so you can start again or monitor changes over time.
Does the tool replace professional care?
Absolutely not. It is a screening aid; only a qualified clinician can diagnose depression and recommend treatment.