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Depression in older adults is a significant concern that is often under-recognized because its symptoms can overlap with age-related changes and chronic illnesses. To address this, healthcare providers use screening tools, and one important instrument to understand is **What is the PHQ-9 for elderly people?**
According to the National Council on Aging, while most older adults are not clinically depressed, 13.2% of those aged 65 and older experienced clinically significant symptoms of depression in 2020. Recognizing and using effective methods is crucial, which is why understanding what are the tools to assess mood in older adults is a critical first step for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
Depression is unfortunately often under-recognized and under-diagnosed in older adults due to confounding factors associated with aging. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a concise, 9-item screening tool used in senior care to assess for depression and monitor symptom severity.
