Objective  To analyze the effect of positive psychological support combined with stratified nursing on the psychological status and cognitive function in elderly schizophrenic patients.

  Methods  A total of 90 elderly patients with schizophrenia in our hospital were selected as the study subjects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into control group and observation group, with 45 cases per group. Patients in the control group received routine nursing, while those in the observation group received positive psychological support combined with stratified nursing. After 12 weeks of nursing, patients′psychological status was assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and cognitive function by Wisconsin Card Classification Test (WCST).

  Results  Before nursing, there were no significant differences in HAMD score and WCST factor score between the two groups (P>0.05). After nursing, HAMD score of the two groups, Errors Responses Percentage (Rep), Perseverative Responses (Rp) and The First Response (R1st) score of WCST decreased significantly, while the scores of Categories Completed (Cc) were significantly higher than nursing before(P < 0.05). The HAMD scores after nursing were significantly lower, the scores of Rep, Rp and R1st of WCST were also significantly decreased, and the scores of Cc of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Positive psychological support combined with hierarchical nursing model can significantly improve the psychological status and cognitive function of the elderly with schizophrenia.