Elderly healthcare requires integrated medical and social support

Healthcare professionals are emphasizing the need for integrated care to address cognitive pathologies and depression in the elderly population. Dr. Pino Rosato, a cardiologist, highlights that managing cognitive decline requires a dual approach: early medical diagnosis to prevent loss of autonomy and a strong social support network. He advocates for better communication between healthcare facilities, local municipalities, and social services to support both patients and their families.

In a similar vein, addressing elderly depression is identified as a growing challenge. Symptoms such as apathy, sadness, and physical pain are often misidentified as normal aging processes. Specialized facilities, such as the Ospedale Maria Luigia in Monticelli Terme, utilize integrated therapeutic models. These include a combination of pharmacological treatments, psychotherapy, and psychogeriatric rehabilitation, such as group therapies and reality orientation training (ROT), to improve cognitive and social functions.