Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of severe respiratory failure in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 288 COPD patients admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were selected. The patients were divided into control group (no severe respiratory failure) and observation group (severe respiratory failure) according to whether severe respiratory failure occurred during hospitalization. The FEV1 and FEV1/FVC values and clinical symptoms of the two groups were compared. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of severe respiratory failure in COPD patients. Results Among of 288 COPD patients, 86 cases (29.86%) developed severe respiratory failure. The proportion of severe respiratory failure in male patients aged ≥70 years was significantly higher (P<0.05). The values of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The proportion of dyspnea and nocturnal awakening in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Age ≥70 years old (OR=4.092), concurrent nosocomial infection (OR=4.756), concurrent hypoproteinemia (OR=3.826), and acute exacerbations >3 times per year (OR=4.573) were the risk factors for severe respiratory failure in elderly COPD patients (P<0.05). Conclusion The elderly COPD hospitalized patients have a higher risk of severe respiratory failure, and most of them are male patients over 70 years old. Especially for patients over 70 years old with hypoproteinemia, more than 3 acute exacerbations per year, and nosocomial infection, active intervention should be given to prevent the risk of severe respiratory failure.