ASSESSMENT OF DEPRESSION IN DEMENTIA PATIENTS - ASSOCIATION OF CAREGIVER MOOD WITH DEPRESSION RATINGS

Caregivers typically provide critical diagnostic information on patien ts with dementia and possible depression. Yet, their accuracy and the potential influence of their own mood on assessment is unknown. In thi s study, caregivers rated a standardized stimulus of depression and th eir actual patient. They were able to correctly identify depression in both. Further, their mood was unassociated with video ratings and onl y moderately associated with patient ratings. Thus, reliance on caregi ver input is supported.