Psychotic depression is a subtype of major depression that is
frequently seen in the elderly, although it is more commonly
seen in inpatients and in patients in long-term care than
community samples of the elderly.9 It is usually characterized
by severe depressive symptoms, together with delusions and/or
hallucinations. The most common delusions seen in the elderly
are somatic and persecutory delusions.10 In the nursing
home, an older depressed patient may be overtly delusional
yet cooperative and easily managed because of decreased
functional capacity.