In Italy, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità has published a report entitled “Interim guidance for the appropriate support of people with dementia in the current COVID-19 pandemic scenario”. The report was drafted by the panel responsible for the monitoring and implementation of the Italian National Dementia Plan, which includes representatives from our member associations Alzheimer Uniti Italia Onlus and Federazione Alzheimer Italia.
The report emphasises that people with dementia must be appropriately supported and protected, highlighting the fact that a high proportion of deaths from COVID-19 occurred in this group. Suggestions and recommendations are provided on how to adapt health and care activities to ensure the safety of people with dementia, including the use of telemedicine, measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 whilst delivering care in the home setting, and how best to adapt residential services whilst maintaining continuity of care. The report also outlines how clinical processes relating to COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment can be adapted for people with dementia, such as COVID-19 testing procedures and hospital care.The report (in Italian) can be downloaded via the link below; an English translation will be made available in due course.
The Istituto Superiore di Sanità, also ISS, is an Italian public institution that, as the leading technical-scientific body of the Italian National Health Service, performs research, trials, control, counseling, documentation and training for public health.
