Community nursing and home help are also available, and some tax benefits are provided. There are few geriatric specialists or psychiatric services for the elderly. The government, however, has formulated the objective to help people remain in their homes with dignity and independence. Italy has no specific policy for people with dementia. National health insurance covers GP and hospital care.
Patients pay a portion of specialist and laboratory charges, depending on income.
They are responsible for varying proportions of medicines, but must pay the total cost of the new drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Most patients are cared for at home. If conditions require placement in a nursing home, the National Health Service covers medical expenses. Some regional and local governments may help cover about half the general costs for public and conventional nursing homes, with the family covering the rest. If patients are kept at home, families are entitled to a monthly allowance of about 700,000 lire, or 362 Euros, to help with nursing expenses.