I.N.R.C.A.
I.N.R.C.A. is the Italian leading Institute (with more than 1400 employees) in gerontology and geriatrics devoted to improving quality of life of older persons, through its research department and 8 hospitals situated in 6 different regions of Italy. Basic and applied research is developed by interdisciplinary work in the bio-medical, clinical and social sectors.
The objectives of the Institute are focused on successful ageing and the promotion of health of the older person and prevention. Also social gerontology is one of the most important research fields. Currently there are many lines of research:
¨ Healthy ageing: studies on centenarians regarding to immuno-senescence and nutrition.
¨ Prevention and treatment of disability: geriatric management.
¨ Cancer and ageing.
¨ Neuro-endocrine and immune ageing.
¨ Artherosclerosis and vascular complications.
¨ Alzheimer disease.
¨ Social and economic aspects.
Research results are diffused by many scientific articles and books published yearly. Great emphasis is given to technological innovation, promoting tele-medicine and setting up modern laboratories of molecular biology. Of particular importance is the study of mobility and posture using the ELITE system, applied in the geriatric rehabilitation wards of the Florence and Ancona I.N.R.C.A. hospitals. I.N.R.C.A. collaborates widely in various internationals and European projects on ageing and got a lot of grants from EC for carrying out RTD activities.
I.N.R.C.A. databanks include numerous and interesting data from many surveys carried out on older people.
I.N.R.C.A. participated in “COST-A5 – Aging and Technology” and in the Committee of Experts of the Council of Europe for the application of the WHO International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps for older persons. I.N.R.C.A. was also an expert working group of ETAN (European Technology Assessment Network) in 1998 (EC- DGXII/AS- RTD Actions: Strategy and co-ordination.
Organization
I.N.R.C.A. is a big public body funded by Ministry of Health and controlled by Italian Ministry of Health. It’s the Italian leading Institute in gerontology and geriatrics devoted to improving quality of life of older persons, through its research department and 8 hospitals situated in 6 different regions of Italy. Most of Organization is based in Ancona (Italy).
Since January 1994 the Institute has been under the direction of a General Manager nominated by the Ministry of Health.
Dott.ssa Magda Fossati is the General Manager (Extra-ordinary Commissioner),
Prof. Claudio Franceschi is The Scientific Director.
The other institutional organs are the Auditors’ Committee and the Technical Scientific Committee.