Dementia care from the perspective of family members, caregivers, and public health and social care professionals

A qualitative study of the Italian fund for Alzheimer’s and other dementias

Bibliographic Data

ID22067149
AuthorsAnnachiara Di Nolfi (0009-0007-7208-9189, University of Rome Tor Vergata, corresponding author), Vittorio Palermo (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Ilaria Palazzesi (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Serena Passoni (Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda), Flaminia Camilli, Alice Paggetti (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Antonio Ancidoni (0000-0002-3949-3127, Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Elisa Fabrizi (0000-0001-5888-6885, Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Patrizia Lorenzini (0000-0002-4629-2067, Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Guido Bellomo (0000-0002-6549-3534, Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Francesco Sciancalepore (0000-0002-1241-074X, Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Nicoletta Locuratolo (0000-0002-2825-7102, Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Paola Scardetta (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Angela Giusti (0000-0001-8695-7847, Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Nicola Vanacore (0000-0003-2817-3758, Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Francesca Zambri (0000-0003-4663-5362, Istituto Superiore di Sanità)
Year2026
Volume13
Pages1726733-1726733
Publication date2026-01-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1726733
PMID41573785
OpenAlexW7118799983
LanguageEN
References cited34

Background: Longer life expectancy has increased the prevalence of dementia, a major cause of disability in old age, requiring an interdisciplinary approach involving health and social care professionals (HScPs) and family members/caregivers (FmCs). This study aims to describe the current state of dementia care in Italy, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and experiences from FmCs and HScPs. Study design: Descriptive qualitative study. Methods: Forty-two focus groups have been conducted with 329 participants (187 HScPs and 142 FmCs). Results: The management of dementia is hampered by a marked unevenness in territorial services, with often insufficient services and staff. FmCs complain of difficulties in obtaining information and face a burden of care, exacerbated by the fragmentation of services and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these critical issues, the support of dementia-specific services (e.g., Centres for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias, Day Care Centres) and associations emerged as crucial. To enhance care, participants emphasized the need for more uniform and integrated services, well-trained professionals, public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, and increased support for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their families. Conclusion: A holistic and coordinated approach that reduces territorial inequalities and empower effective resources is essential to ensure equitable care and improve the quality of life of PLWD and their families

Dementia · Health care · Public health · Qualitative research · Social care · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Family Caregiving in Mental Illness · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes