Table 2.

Professional roles and activities within the care team

Professional role	Expected workload (hours per week)*	Activity
Nursing assistant	100	Supervision and assistance in daily life activities, promotion of autonomy in urinary function, feeding and mobility
Nurse	18	Specific competence needed in geriatric and dementia care. Detection of clinical changes. Regular contact with caregiver and GP. Treatment and prevention of geriatric syndromes
Physiotherapist	6	Functional assessment and evaluation of motor skills. Drawing up of individual rehabilitation plans. Promotion of group physical activity
Occupational therapist	18 (including occupational therapist and/or social health educator)	Psychosocial and rehabilitative interventions promoting cognitive stimulation, independence, reduction of BPSD and environmental adaptation. Focus on occupations meaningful for daily living and maintenance of autonomy
Social health educator		Psychosocial, educational and rehabilitative interventions promoting cognitive stimulation, psychological well-being, reduction of BPSD and environmental adaptation. Focus on social inclusion and integration into the community
Geriatrician or other dementia specialist	6	Pharmacological treatment of BPSD, prevention and treatment of geriatric syndromes, promotion of comprehensive assessment, staff training, contact with GP. Monitoring and encouraging vaccinations
Psychologist	6	Psychosocial interventions cognitive and/or emotion oriented, including cognitive stimulation therapy. Support of family and prevention of burnout of personnel
Qualified music therapist; qualified art therapist	6	Music therapy and art therapy projects (groups of 3–7 patients at least twice a week) aimed at decreasing depressive symptoms and BPSD and enhancing social skills
Organizational aspects
Assistance and working times	The recommended number of day care recipients simultaneously present is 15–20, with a ratio of one operator for three patients. Additional hours should be forecasted for monthly meetings, discussion with caregivers, post-discharge return at home, integration of new care recipients
Personnel selection	The selection should be performed according to specific attitudes and education, professional capacity and motivation. During opening hours, the presence should be ensured of at least one healthcare provider certified in BLS/AED in order to respond to an emergency and provide care
Continuous staff training	The launch of the Italian Continuous Medical Education program in 2002 established the obligation of continuing education for Italian health professionals [43, 44] In addition to refresh courses, meetings with staff from other structures should be organized. Contact with local universities and tutoring of healthcare professional trainees should be encouraged [45]

BPSD behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, GP general practitioner, ICP individualized care plan, BLS basic life support, AED automated external defibrillator

*Expected workload is intended for a standard Dementia Day Care Centre that accommodates 15 care recipients