[Integrated local health services for Alzheimer's disease in Umbria (Italy)].

To improve the quality of healthcare for patients affected by dementia (Alzheimer's and other types of dementia) and provide support to family caregivers, a health district in Umbria (Italy) has developed a network of social and health services integrated with third-sector and voluntary sector activities and has worked on addressing both the health and social needs of patients and their caregivers. In this article the authors describe the implemented activities which include educational activities, forming a self-help group for caregivers of Alzheimer patients, opening a counseling center and an outpatient clinic for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive disorders.