APA Dictionary of Psychology

an assessment instrument specifically designed for use with adults aged 65 years and older. It is self-administered and comprises a series of 30 yes–no questions (e.g., “Do you often get bored?”; “Is it easy for you to make decisions?”; “Do you enjoy getting up in the morning?”) about depressive symptoms that excludes somatic disturbances often experienced by older adults. [originally developed in 1982 by psychologist T. L. Brink (1949–  ), psychiatrist Jerome A. Yesavage, and colleagues]