Screening Older Adults for Mental Disorders

Avoidable disability associated with depression, anxiety, and impaired cognition among older adults is pervasive. Incentives for detection of mental disorders in late life include increased reimbursement, reduced cost, and less burden for patients and families. However, screening not aligned with diagnosis, intervention, and outcome assessment has questionable utility. The link between screening, treatment, and outcomes is well established for depression, less so for anxiety and impaired cognition. This article details the use of common instruments to screen and assess depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment.