More than 70 Communities across 36 provinces in 13 Italian regions, involving 10,000 people with dementia and family members, and 7,700 citizens trained. These are the figures presented at the national conference “Ten Years of Dementia Friendly Communities. From Building Communities to Collective Responsibility”, organised by Federazione Alzheimer Italia on 22 May 2026.
Launched in 2016 with the pilot project in Abbiategrasso, near Milan, Dementia Friendly Communities in Italy have, over the past decade, promoted hundreds of initiatives in different areas - including public awareness and training, cultural and recreational activities, and support services- involving more than 700 volunteers and over 220 initiatives co-designed with people living with dementia.
The conference provided an opportunity to showcase experiences developed by several of these Communities, highlighting how supportive relationships and welcoming environments can have a tangible impact on the lives of people with dementia, helping to reduce stigma and isolation. As Susana Inguil, who lives with dementia, explained during her testimony: “It is important to involve people, because that way we feel valued and not excluded”.
Throughout the conference, a strong focus emerged on listening and participation, with projects spanning many aspects of everyday life. Expressive workshops and social theatre activities sit alongside collaborations with universities and technological innovation projects designed to address the needs of people with dementia, relatives, and caregivers. This framework also includes initiatives promoting access to culture - such as the “Un cinema per Amico” project by the Cinema Ariston in Trieste, which received the “Inclusive Realities” award presented by Federazione Alzheimer Italia - as well as cognitive stimulation activities aimed at fostering social connections and reducing isolation.
The conference also featured the presentation of the Dementia Friendly Hospital guidelines, developed for healthcare settings wishing to become “Friends of People with Dementia” and better respond to the specific needs of people living with dementia and their families.
“What we are witnessing is a real change within local communities, with citizens learning to recognise and welcome dementia,” said Katia Pinto, President of Federazione Alzheimer Italia. “This is where shared responsibility begins: all of us can and must play our part.”
