Italy is ageing and the demand for care is growing: Massimo Blasoni invests 200 million to open 20 new RSAs, emphasising the decisive role of the private sector in filling the gaps in the public system.
Massimo Blasoni, the king of retirement homes200 million investment for 20 new facilities. The private sector fills the gap left by the public sector'.
Italy is facing a profound demographic transformation: life expectancy has increased by more than six years and the over-65s have exceeded 14 million. However, the number of dependent elderly is also growing, set to reach about 5 million by 2030. This trend puts pressure on care services, such as ADI and RSA, which are increasingly crucial to ensure adequate care for a rapidly ageing population.
The boom in the private sector
The world of RSAs is going through a period of extraordinary development, driven by the intervention of large private groups capable of offering more professional services and modern facilities, respectful of environmental and safety standards, with a higher level of comfort and services than traditional nursing homes. The numbers certify this growth: from 2012 to 2022, according to a study by the international advisor JLL, residences for the elderly in Italy recorded an increase in guests of 20%. This growth is mainly due to the increasingly central role of the private sector in national senior care. The ranking of Italian groups of RSA managers sees in first place - in terms of number of beds in Italy - Kos Care with its Anni Azzurri brand, controlled by the De Benedetti's Cir and the F2i fund; in second place is Massimo Blasoni's Sereni Orizzonti Group, followed by the Italian subsidiaries of the French multinationals Korian and Emeis (formerly Orpea).
The issue of costs and the criticality of the system
The growth of the private sector is not without controversy. Associations representing public and third sector residences frequently raise criticism, while the problem of high fees, which oscillate between 80 and 120 euros per day, remains central. The issue is complex: not all guests are entitled to public support, which is provided through ASLs and municipalities with criteria and amounts that vary widely from region to region. This public support rarely covers more than half of the expenditure, thus fuelling a free market entirely at the expense of families. 'In Italy, the number of beds is below the European average, so new investments are indispensable and it is mainly the private sector that has to step in,' says Massimo Blasonifounder of the Sereni Orizzonti Group. There are several solutions on the table: from increasing public contributions, as advocated by family associations and trade unions, to adopting supplementary pension instruments, as suggested by Blasoni in a recent interview for Affari&Finanza di Repubblica.
The full article is available at the following link👇
RSA and private investment: Massimo Blasoni targets 200 million