Italy Approves First National Plan for Elderly Care and Fragility

On Oct. 2, 2026, the Interministerial Committee for Policies in Favor of the Elderly Population approved the first National Plan for the Care of Fragility and Non-Self-Sufficiency in the Elderly Population for 2025–2027 at Palazzo Chigi, allocating over €1.5 billion across the three-year period. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that the funding aims to simplify assistance for an estimated 3.5 million people, though ilfattoquotidiano.it reported that the money consists of previously programmed resources rather than new allocations.

Palazzo Chigi Approves Three-Year Plan

The plan stems from the broader elderly policies reform initiated in 2023, completing a multi-year administrative and regulatory process. María Teresa Bellucci, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policies, chaired the meeting where the framework was adopted. The program divides approximately €3 billion from the existing National Fund for Non-Self-Sufficiency into two distinct tracks: €1.5 billion dedicated to support services for individuals with severe disabilities up to age 70, and another €1.5 billion targeting frail and non-self-sufficient elderly individuals over 70.

Single Access Points Aim to Streamline Care

Under the new framework, elderly citizens over 70 requiring health and social assistance will no longer need to visit multiple offices. Meloni explained in a social media video that starting Jan. 1, 2027, Single Access Points will open progressively inside Community Houses established through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Multidisciplinary teams of health and social operators will evaluate patients at these locations and issue an Individualized Assistance Plan focusing heavily on home care, coordination, and continuity.

Third Sector Forum Criticizes Insufficient Funding and Late Approval

Welfare Consulta Coordinator Roberto Speziale of the Third Sector Forum criticized the financial backing during consultations, stating that the plan relies on pre-existing funds from the 2025–2027 National Fund that remain vastly insufficient for actual needs. Speziale presented observations on Sept. 29, pointing out that the late approval forces regional authorities to operate on extensions of prior plans while anticipating inadequate resources. The Third Sector Forum urged the government to guarantee system-wide continuity across age brackets, enforce uniform Essential Levels of Social Performance across all territories, and monitor resource allocation to bridge regional disparities.

January 2027 Launch Date Nears

With the administrative framework now cleared at Palazzo Chigi, attention turns to whether regional governments can implement the Community Houses and Single Access Points by the targeted rollout date of Jan. 1, 2027, without expanding the underlying financial allocations demanded by welfare organizations.