Cognitive Aging and Long-Term Care in Italy

Agar Brugiavini, Ludovico Carrino, Gloria Moroni, Rinaldo Naci and Giacomo Pasini

No 35441, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This chapter examines the incidence and economic burden of cognitive impairment among older individuals in Italy within the long-term care (LTC) system. Using SHARE Wave 9 data (2022), cognitive impairment is measured through standardized memory and numeracy tests, classifying 8.6% of individuals aged 65+ as cognitively impaired. Cognitive decline rises sharply with age and is strongly associated with higher care needs, particularly intensive formal care. While both physically and cognitively impaired individuals rely heavily on informal care, cognitively impaired individuals receive substantially more hours of care. Total LTC costs amount to $35.3 billion (1.66% of GDP), with cognitively impaired individuals accounting for the largest share of expenditures. Informal care represents a greater financial burden than formal care across all groups. The findings highlight significant unmet care needs and underscore the urgent necessity of policy reforms and healthy ageing strategies to ensure LTC sustainability.

JEL-codes: D10 I13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-07
Note: AG
References: Add references at CitEc
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Forthcoming: Cognitive Aging and Long-Term Care in Italy, Agar Brugiavini, Ludovico Carrino, Gloria Moroni, Rinaldo Naci, Giacomo Pasini. in Long-Term Care Around the World, volume 2 , McGarry. 2026

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