The number of Italians aged over 90 is expected to reach 1 million in the next three years, Anadolu Agency reports citing the local media.

Citing Italia Longeva, the national association for aging and active longevity established by the Ministry of Health, the state-run ANSA news agency said a third of the country’s population will be over 65, alone and at risk of isolation.

The situation creates an immense need for home care, with around six million elderly people expected to be living alone and at risk of isolation in the next 20 years, it added.

Currently, 64% of people with dementia, among the first causes of loss of autonomy in the elderly, are not taken care of in a socio-health facility, creating a very strong burden on families, according to the association.

“The aging of the population and increase in related diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and dementia require us to strengthen and expand home care services,” it added.