意大利的认知衰老与长期护理

NBER Working Papers · 2026 · [{"name": "Agar Brugiavini", "affiliation": []}, {"name": "Ludovico Carrino", "affiliation": []}, {"name": "Gloria Moroni", "affiliation": []}, {"name": "Rinaldo Naci", "affiliation": []}, {"name": "Giacomo Pasini", "affiliation": []}]

中文摘要

本章考察了意大利长期护理（LTC）体系中老年人认知障碍的发生率及其经济负担。基于SHARE第九轮（2022年）数据，通过标准化的记忆力与计算能力测试衡量认知障碍，结果显示8.6%的65岁及以上个体被归类为认知障碍者。认知能力下降随年龄增长而急剧上升，且与更高的护理需求（尤其是密集型正式护理需求）密切相关。身体障碍者与认知障碍者均严重依赖非正式护理，但认知障碍者获得的护理小时数显著更多。长期护理总成本达353亿美元（占GDP的1.66%），其中认知障碍者占支出份额最大。在所有群体中，非正式护理构成的经济负担均大于正式护理。研究结果凸显了显著的未满足护理需求，并强调了政策改革与健康老龄化战略对于确保长期护理可持续性的迫切必要性。

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.