L. Teri et P. Truax, ASSESSMENT OF DEPRESSION IN DEMENTIA PATIENTS - ASSOCIATION OF CAREGIVER MOOD WITH DEPRESSION RATINGS, The Gerontologist, 34(2), 1994, pp. 231-234
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.