assistiti

Assistiti is a term used in social welfare contexts to designate individuals who receive aid, services, or protection from public or private welfare systems. In administrative language, it refers to persons who are the beneficiaries of organized support measures, rather than to the organizations or professionals delivering those measures.

In Italy, the term is commonly employed by municipalities, health authorities, and social services to identify recipients of various forms of assistance. The category can include elderly people who rely on care services, individuals with disabilities, minors under protective supervision, families in need of housing or economic support, unemployed or vulnerable adults, and others who require social, health, or educational interventions. The designation is typically used for planning, coordination, and monitoring of care plans and service delivery.

The concept emphasizes the dependent relationship between the recipient and the welfare system, rather than a specific legal status. It is often associated with case management, individualized care plans, and ongoing assessment of needs. Because the term can carry a depersonalizing connotation, there is debate about language use in public discourse; some institutions prefer alternatives such as “utenti” (users) or “persone assistite” to emphasize personhood and rights.

In practice, the designation guides administrative processes, data collection, and interagency collaboration to ensure appropriate support, protection, and integration of individuals within the social and health care networks. Related topics include welfare state policies, social services, guardianship, and user-centered service design.