This review explores current research on reactivated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among older adults. Diagnostic system classifications of PTSD and possible trauma-based presentations among the elderly are considered before work concerning prevalence, symptomatology and course, triggers, theoretical explanations of reactivated trauma and treatments is examined. Conceptual and methodological strengths and weaknesses of existing work are highlighted and we conclude that the next phase in research efforts should continue to explore the relative contributions of cognitive/neuropsychological and developmental/social factors in understanding this phenomenon.