Holistic Alzheimer's Care in Italy

Beyond Pills: Holistic Approaches to Alzheimer's Care in Italy

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how Italian healthcare is embracing occupational therapy, communication techniques, and social support to improve the lives of Alzheimer's patients and their families."

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents significant challenges, impacting not only those diagnosed but also their caregivers and society as a whole. While pharmacological treatments are available, there's a growing recognition of the importance of holistic interventions that focus on improving the quality of life for individuals with AD and easing the burden on their families.

These interventions often involve multidisciplinary approaches, addressing various cognitive and non-cognitive domains affected by dementia. Unlike solely relying on medication, these strategies aim to empower patients, maintain their independence for as long as possible, and create a more supportive environment.

This article explores some of the promising interventions being implemented in long-stay centers in Italy, focusing on approaches that increase independence and well-being for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and support their caregivers. These include Community Occupational Therapy in Dementia (COTID), enabling approach, Gentlecare principles, and the important role of social workers.

Key Holistic Interventions for Alzheimer's Care

Several innovative approaches are showing promise in improving the lives of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and easing the challenges faced by their caregivers:

Community Occupational Therapy in Dementia (COTID): This client-centered approach integrates everyday activities tailored to the patient's preferences and cognitive abilities. Environmental adaptations, technical aids, and caregiver support are also key components. COTID aims to enhance daily functioning and quality of life for both patients and their caregivers.
The Enabling Approach: This interpersonal relationship model focuses on recognizing and leveraging the individual's basic abilities, even in advanced stages of dementia. By creating a supportive environment where they can exercise their capabilities without fear of mistakes, it aims to foster a sense of contentment and well-being.
Gentlecare: Developed by occupational therapist Moyra Jones, this model aims to deliver 'prosthetic' care, creating a uniform standard that ensures positive outcomes for clients. It focuses on limiting the impact of functional, cognitive, and motor deterioration, promoting specific healthcare actions, and reducing behavioral disorders.
The Role of Social Workers: Social workers play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals with AD and their families. They emphasize the bio-psycho-social aspects of the patient's life, working within multidisciplinary teams to provide support, resources, and advocate for their needs.

These interventions share a common thread: a focus on individual needs, strengths, and well-being, rather than solely on the limitations imposed by the disease. They recognize the importance of creating supportive environments and empowering both patients and caregivers.

The Path Forward: Integrating Holistic Care for a Better Future

The interventions discussed offer valuable strategies for improving the lives of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and supporting their caregivers. By focusing on holistic, patient-centered approaches, healthcare systems can move beyond solely relying on medication to address the complex needs of those affected by dementia.

While these interventions show promise, further research is needed to fully evaluate their effectiveness and long-term impact. Clinical trials and studies are essential to validate these approaches and determine how they can be best implemented in different settings.

Ultimately, the best care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates pharmacological treatments with holistic interventions, empowering patients, supporting caregivers, and fostering a greater sense of well-being.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.npbr.2018.10.002, Alternate LINK

Title: Interventions Aimed To Increase Independence And Well-Being In Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease: Review Of Some Interventions In The Italian Context

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Alessandro Lanzoni, Andrea Fabbo, Donatella Basso, Patrizia Pedrazzini, Elena Bortolomiol, Marc Jones, Omar Cauli

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Community Occupational Therapy in Dementia (COTID) and how does it help Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers?

Community Occupational Therapy in Dementia, or COTID, uses personalized activities based on a patient's preferences and cognitive abilities to improve their daily life. It also involves adapting the environment and providing support to caregivers, ultimately enhancing the well-being of both the patient and their family. This approach acknowledges that Alzheimer's affects more than just memory; it impacts daily routines and the lives of those who provide care.

Can you explain the Enabling Approach and how it improves the well-being of individuals with Alzheimer's?

The Enabling Approach is about finding and using a person's existing skills, even when Alzheimer's is advanced. It's about creating a space where they feel safe to try things without worrying about making mistakes. This helps them feel happier and more fulfilled, focusing on what they can still do rather than what they've lost. This is crucial because maintaining a sense of purpose can greatly improve quality of life.

What are the key principles of Gentlecare, and how does it aim to improve outcomes for people with Alzheimer's?

Gentlecare, created by Moyra Jones, is a care model focused on delivering consistent, high-quality support. It aims to minimize the effects of declining physical, mental, and movement abilities. By promoting specific care actions and reducing difficult behaviors, Gentlecare seeks to ensure positive results for those living with Alzheimer's. It’s like providing a supportive structure that helps maintain stability and well-being.

What role do social workers play in supporting individuals with Alzheimer's and their families, and why is their contribution so important?

Social workers are essential in Alzheimer's care because they look at the whole person – their physical health, mental well-being, and social connections. They work with other healthcare professionals to provide support, find resources, and advocate for the needs of patients and their families. They understand that Alzheimer's impacts every aspect of a person's life and strive to address those needs comprehensively. They address the needs of the patients from various points.

How do holistic interventions improve the lives of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and support their caregivers?

Holistic interventions emphasize individual needs, focusing on strengths and overall well-being rather than just the limitations of Alzheimer's. This involves creating supportive environments, empowering patients, and providing resources for caregivers. Unlike solely relying on medication, these approaches address the complex cognitive and non-cognitive challenges of dementia, improving the quality of life and reducing caregiver burden.