These structures host non-self-sufficient individuals, including the elderly, with severe cognitive-behavioral disorders.

To access them, a request from the family doctor or the hospital doctor is necessary if the patient is in the hospital at the time of diagnosis.

A team of specialists - Multidimensional Evaluation Unit (UVMD) - is activated to assess the individual case (VDM).

This assessment is usually carried out by the ASL of the patient's residence. If the patient's home is different from their residence, the needs assessment can be conducted by the ASL of the home, upon request from the ASL of residence.

The multidimensional evaluation (VMD) is divided into two phases:

• the direct assessment of the assisted person, during which one or more competent professionals collect the necessary information;

• the evaluation of the collected information.

The Multidimensional Evaluation Unit proceeds to:

• develop the Individualized Assistance Plan (PAI);

• identify the territorial service nurse (case manager) responsible for implementing the assistance plan;

• carry out any further checks of the PAI upon the nurse's report;

• authorize the treatment.