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A review of scales for rating mood in geriatric patients reveals the criteria that must be met: 1) the subject must be responsive and cooperative; 2) the scale should be brief, with clear response choices; and 3) the questions should be clear and relevant to the current situation of the patient. Individual mood scales do not offer much advantage over a brief, well constructed, multidimensional rating scale.In a previous paper (41), we reviewed rating scales which assess observable behavior in a geriatric population. In this communication, we shall focus upon rating scales for the assessment of mood states in the elderly.Alterations in mood states such as depression and anxiety are common in older persons. Late-life depressions, for example, may be particularly severe, and jeopardize the physical health of the patient. Loss of self-esteem and a general sense of hopelessness lead to thoughts of suicide; indeed, suicide rates increase dramatically in the elderly, particularly in males (42).In all age groups, the assessment of mood states is more difficult and not as reliable as the rating of behavior. Except in extreme cases, when it may be reflected by behavior, mood tends to be an inner, private experience. In most cases, therefore, one must ask about a person's feelings, and depend upon his response for assessment. In the elderly, cognitive and

Rating scales for the assessment of behavior in geriatric patients are reviewed in two categories: 1) specific, and 2) nonspecific for geriatric populations The advantages of each are discussed. The choice must be left to the rater's judgment in view of his investigative requirements.

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