Psychosis is a state of having lost touch with reality. The chief symptoms of psychosis include hallucinations, which are false sensory perceptions of stimuli which are actually not present, and delusions, which are false and fixed beliefs not rooted in reality. Psychosis that develops in older individuals can be the result of a primary psychiatric disorder or secondary psychotic disorders including delirium, psychotic symptoms secondary to an identifiable medical condition or chemical agent (drugs or alcohol toxicity). Nurses make the assessment by taking history of the patient through interview, as well as by using formal questions and screening tools like Folstein’s MMSE. In case of secondary psychosis, it is important to treat the underlying cause. Nurses have to establish trust with the elderly patient through active listening, promote medication compliance by educating patient and family members. They need to provide training in social skills and family and community living, adaptation and adjustment.

Keywords: Morbidity; Psychosis; Older adults; Mental health.