The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a self-reported inventory tapping current feelings only. A short form was published in 1972 consisting of 13 items from the original BDI, called the BDI-SF. In 1978 the original version was modified to eliminate double negative statements and alternative ways of asking the same question and then referred to as the Beck Inventory (BI). The BI is designed to be self-administered, tapping feelings over the past week. The reliability of the 1978 version of the BI and BDI-SF were investigated using an elderly population (N=102) participating in a health promotion program. The internal consistency reliabilities were 0.87 for both forms. Five items on the long form were identified as commonly occurring in an elderly population without depression: weight loss, body image, irritability, loss of libido, and sleep disturbance. The psychometric characteristics of these items were investigated as was their relationship to the total score. Modifying the BI for the elderly to exclude these five items resulted in a 16-item version (BI-E) with an internal consistency of 0.88. Correlations between the BI-E and the other forms were 0.94 or more. Validity was examined through classification structures and correlational patterns with other mental and physical health parameters. (Author/ABL)