What is a common assessment tool used to evaluate the progression of dementia?

The Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) is a commonly used assessment tool specifically designed to evaluate the progression of dementia. It provides a five-stage framework that helps clinicians and caregivers understand the decline in cognitive function and the stages of dementia, from no cognitive decline to severe cognitive decline.

This scale enables healthcare professionals to assess and monitor the patient's cognitive abilities over time, offering insights into the severity of the condition. As patients progress through the stages, the Global Deterioration Scale helps to inform care decisions and interventions by outlining both the cognitive and functional impairments associated with dementia.

The other options, while valuable in their respective areas, do not specifically focus on the progression of dementia. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a tool used for cognitive screening but does not provide a scale of progression. The Beck Depression Inventory is aimed at assessing depression levels, and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale is designed to evaluate anxiety. Therefore, the Global Deterioration Scale stands out for its targeted application in tracing the evolution of dementia symptoms.