There are lots of families in Italy who spend between 1000 and 1500 Euro per year to assist the elderly, an enormous figure for already uncertain budgets. The State should feel obliged to assist these families who keep the elderly at home with them and who lovingly care for the elderly relative, rather than abandoning them in a hospital. Accordingly, the former Minister for Health, Rosy Bindi proposed the creation of a national fund which would be sustained by the contribution of every citizen, "not excluding - therefore - an appeal for an increase in taxation". According to defined realistic calculations, 0.5% of income would be enough.

A pro-old age tax? Naturally, this is just a suggestion, but it would be interesting to find out what Italians think of it. Who knows, maybe one of the many Italian research institutes will grasp the opportunity.