Delirium is common and associated with important adverse consequences in elderly persons. It is an acute syndrome characterized by the rapid onset of cognitive and attention impairment, with a fluctuating course. In most cases, the etiology is multifactorial, combining predisposing and precipitating factors. Delirium management combines specific treatments of precipitating factors with the symptomatic treatment of delirium manifestations, based on nonpharmacologic as well as pharmacologic approaches.