108 Non-contributory means paid to eligible people regardless of how much tax or other contributions they have made . Find information about the average fee for an RSA (the equivalent of a nursing home in the UK) in Italy. LEGISLATION IN SUPPORT OF ELDERCARE Italy In Italy, the state provides various forms of support for eldercare, reflecting its strong commitment to caring for the elderly, a significant part of its population due to its ageing demographic. The Italian welfare system offers a combination of healthcare, financial assistance, and legal frameworks to ensure older adults receive proper care. The national health service in Italy provides residents with free or low-cost healthcare that includes access to general practitioners (GPs), treatment at public hospitals, medicines available on NHS, lab services, ambulance services, and certain specialist care. National healthcare system Healthcare services for the elderly in Italy are largely covered by the national healthcare system. This includes general medical care, hospital care, and specialist services, with particular attention to chronic diseases. Home care assistance (Assistenza Domiciliare Integrata, ADI) is also provided, allowing older individuals to receive medical, nursing, and rehabilitative services at home. to bear: sostenere, essere a carico commitment: impegno to grant: concedere low-income: basso reddito paid leave: congedo retributivo Financial subsidies Financially, the state offers some benefits to low-income elderly citizens. Among them is the social allowance (assegno sociale), a non-contributory benefit available to seniors who meet specific age and income requirements, ensuring they can cover basic needs. Moreover, a universal national allowance (indennit di accompagnamento) is granted by Law 18/1980 to non-self-sufficient individuals irrespective of income status. Large regional variations exist with regard to additional resources. Italy does not offer insurance for long-term care. In fact, RSA (Residenze Sanitarie Assistenziali) are mainly private . For all citizens health service costs are borne by the national healthcare system ; for those residing in an RSA the remaining costs (accommodation, meals, laundry, etc) are borne by patients, the additional resources given by municipalities and, indirectly, via tax deduction. 216 ADuLTS AnD ELDERLy pEopLE Law 104/1992 A key piece of legislation supporting eldercare is Law 104/1992, which grants specific rights to people with disabilities and their caregivers. In particular, Law 104/1992 Article no. 3 states that a severely disabled person is entitled to the benefits established in his/her favour. The article allows family members who provide assistance to disabled or elderly relatives to take paid leave from work. Caregivers are entitled to up to three days of paid leave per month, or they can request longer leave under certain circumstances, safeguarding employment during periods of intensive caregiving. Comparison with the USA and the UK In the US, eldercare is more fragmented, often relying on private healthcare insurance and programmes. The elder care system in the UK, instead, is not part of the National Health Service. In theory, this implies that it sits outside the public health care system, and that people must cover their own costs, but in practice a portion of lower-income people over age 65 can receive assistance from their local council.