**2. Materials and Methods**

### *2.1. Geographical and Socio-Demographic Context*

The Veneto Region is located in the north-eastern part of Italy and is the eighth largest region in Italy with a total area of 18,398.9 km2. In terms of population, on 1 January 2017, the Veneto Region was the fifth largest Italian region, with just over 4.9 million inhabitants and approximately 485,000 immigrants residing in the region, accounting for 9.9% of the total population [19]. In common with the rest of Italy, the main demographic feature of the Veneto Region is its aging population: some 20% of the Veneto population is over 65 years old and 10% are over 75. It is one of the most affluent regions in terms of per-capita income, with only 6% of families living in relative poverty [20]. A quarter of the population has a chronic health problem, including 65% of those over 65, and more than 25% of those aged 75–84; and more than 57% of the population over 75 are disabled [21].
