A Veterans Health Administration Imperative: Recommendations for Detecting Anxiety in Older Adults

Despite routine screening in the VHA for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse, anxiety (not due to PTSD) has received little attention, particularly for older veterans (defined as aged ≥ 65 years). In this review, the authors focus on the detection of late-life anxiety disorders, primarily generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), anxiety symptoms that don't meet GAD criteria, and anxiety symptoms co-occurring in GAD. Forty-five percent of veterans receiving care in VHA are ≥ aged 65 years; identification of mental health problems in this population is crucial.(1)