Conclusions : Of the most commonly used measures , the majority lacked sufficient evidence to warrant their use with older adults .
Based on psychometric evidence , three measures ( Beck Anxiety Inventory , Penn State Worry Question naire , and Geriatric Mental Status Examination ) showed psychometric properties sufficient to justify the use of these instruments when assessing anxiety in older adults .
In addition , two measures developed specifically for older adults ( Worry Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory ) were also found to be appropriate for use with older adults
Objectives : The authors set out to systematic ally review the research literature in order to identify the anxiety measures most commonly used in the assessment of older adults .
Once identified , the literature was review ed to determine the extent to which these instruments had age-relevant norms and psychometric data supporting their use with older adults .
Consequences of anxiety in older persons: its effect on disability, well-being and use of health services.
BACKGROUND Although anxiety is quite prevalent in late life , its impact on disability , well-being , and health care utilization of  older persons  has not been studied . Older persons are a highly relevant age group for study ing the consequences of anxiety , since their increasing numbers put an extra strain on already limited health care re sources . METHODS Data of a large community-based r and om probability sample ( N = 659 ) of older subjects ( 55 - 85 year ) in the Netherl and s were used to select three groups : subjects with a diagnosed anxiety disorder , subjects with merely anxiety symptoms and a reference group without anxiety .  These groups were compared with regard to their functioning , subjective well-being , and use of health care services , while controlling for potentially confounding variables . RESULTS Anxiety was associated with increased disability and diminished well-being .  Older persons with a diagnosed anxiety disorder were equally affected in their functioning as those with merely anxiety symptoms . Although use of health services was increased in anxiety sufferers , their use of appropriate care was generally low . CONCLUSIONS Anxiety has a clear negative impact on the functioning and well-being of older subjects . The similarity of participants with an anxiety disorder and those having merely anxiety symptoms regarding quality of life variables and health care use was quite striking . Finally , in spite of its grave consequences for the quality of life , appropriate care for anxiety is seldom received . Efforts to improve recognition , disseminate effective treatments in primary care , and referring to specialized care may have positive effects on the management of anxiety in late life
Conclusions : Of the most commonly used measures , the majority lacked sufficient evidence to warrant their use with older adults .
Based on psychometric evidence , three measures ( Beck Anxiety Inventory , Penn State Worry Question naire , and Geriatric Mental Status Examination ) showed psychometric properties sufficient to justify the use of these instruments when assessing anxiety in older adults .
In addition , two measures developed specifically for older adults ( Worry Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory ) were also found to be appropriate for use with older adults
Objectives : The authors set out to systematic ally review the research literature in order to identify the anxiety measures most commonly used in the assessment of older adults .
Once identified , the literature was review ed to determine the extent to which these instruments had age-relevant norms and psychometric data supporting their use with older adults .