The Master’s Degree in Geropsychology for Longevity and Dementia: Instruments, Interventions and Treatment Approaches provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the management of elderly individuals, whether experiencing physiological aging, neurocognitive disorders, or psychopathologies, as well as their caregivers, across various institutional, healthcare, community, and home settings.
Furthermore, it specializes in the design and conduction of clinical interviews with elderly patients and their families, differential neuropsychological assessments, evidence-based interventions aimed at prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and psychopathologies, caregiver support strategies, and consultancy pathways for organizations and services.
In addition to presenting updated tools and methodologies, the program promotes multiprofessional interaction, which is essential for effective teamwork. The transdisciplinary approach provides an updated theoretical and applied clinical training aligned with the demands of professional, social, and scientific contexts.
The Master in Geropsychology for Longevity and Dementia provides tools and competencies for:
- Active/healthy aging (psychological and social well-being) through:
- Multidimensional screening and assessments from a preventive perspective;
- Effective and personalized interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive, metacognitive, emotional, theory of mind, and social skills;
- An intergenerational approach;
- Utilization of the environment as a resource and of new technologies (artificial intelligence, information & communication technology).
- Management of individuals with neurodegenerative disorders, including early-stage, psychopathology, and disability:
- From anamnesis and psychodiagnostic interviews with the individual and family, to differential neuropsychological assessment and corresponding reporting;
- From diagnosis communication to the proposal of evidence-based psychosocial interventions, also aimed at combating loneliness and promoting quality of life.
- Support and prevention of burden in formal and informal caregivers, including home care.
- Home care for frail individuals or those with dementia.
- Multidisciplinary teamwork across different care settings (nursing homes and community).
- Preparation of individualized care plans (ICP).
- End-of-life management and emergency situations.
- Provision of consultancy and training at organizations and services.
The Master’s Degree in Geropsychology for Longevity and Dementias: Tools, Interventions, and Care Approaches is intended for individuals holding one of the following degrees:
- Undergraduate degree (old system) in Medicine and Surgery; Pedagogy; Psychology; Educational Sciences; Primary Education Sciences; Health Planning Sciences; Social Work;
- Specialist degree (Ministerial Decree 509) in: 46/S; 56/S; 57/S; 58/S; 63/S; 65/S; 87/S;
- Master’s degree (Ministerial Decree 270) in: LM-41; LM-50; LM-51; LM-55; LM-57; LM-85; LM-87.
The Master trains geropsychologists and expert professionals capable of working autonomously or within multiprofessional teams in healthcare and educational institutions, providing consultancy and training services, assessment and screening, support and intervention, and service organization.
Professionals trained by the Master can find employment opportunities in services such as nursing homes (RSA), day centers, respite centers, centers for cognitive disorders and dementias, outpatient clinics, community houses, territorial and municipal projects for the prevention of cognitive decline and promotion of healthy aging, associations, home care services, and clinical or research facilities aimed at diagnosing and treating individuals with pathological aging. The Master also prepares candidates for project design and private practice.
The Master’s Degree in Geropsychology for Longevity and Dementias: Tools, Interventions, and Care Approaches provides training in the following areas:
Module 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
Theoretical models in the study of aging and longevity, and changes occurring at sensory, cognitive, and emotional-motivational levels in typical aging and dementia. Social aspects such as stereotypes and ageism and their impact on the daily life of older adults and caregivers are explored. Additionally, continuous learning (lifelong learning), intergenerationality, senior workers, and the transition to retirement are addressed.
Module 2 – PREVENTION, ASSESSMENT, AND ENHANCEMENT INTERVENTIONS FOR LONGEVITY
Screening tools applied from a preventive perspective to promote longevity in typical/physiological aging; methodologies and intervention models ranging from planning to development and implementation of evidence-based programs and training aimed at enhancing cognitive, metacognitive, emotional (well-being), and social competencies (theory of mind).
Module 3 – AGING, PERSONALITY, AND ENVIRONMENT
Personality and its impact on quality of life (traits, motives, values, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and optimism); the role of individual differences; the role of the environment and modifications needed to support people with or without dementia at home; orientation skills in the environment; attachment to places and relocation to care facilities; design of age- and dementia-friendly environments.
Module 4 – CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
Structural and functional changes characterizing pathological aging; causes and symptoms associated with mild cognitive impairment and neurocognitive disorders, including early-onset forms; cognitive and neuropsychological assessment tools for cognitive decline, including early stages, and related reporting; quality of life in people with dementia, including those residing in nursing homes.
Module 5 – CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING: FROM INTERVIEW TO PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA
Psychopathology and disability in aging; clinical and psychodiagnostic interviews with elderly individuals and caregivers; interviews with elderly individuals relocating to care facilities; evidence-based psychosocial care approaches and interventions for people with dementia and early-onset dementia; support and relief pathways, including those based on Mindfulness and Compassion, for families and professionals.
Module 6 – ELEMENTS OF INSTITUTIONAL GERONTOLOGY
Healthcare regulations, policies, and legislation; territorial, national, and European projects; inter- and multidisciplinary teamwork in community and home settings; drafting of Individualized Care Plans; leadership and coordination in nursing homes; elderly care service networks; training for operators, institutions, and community stakeholders; technologies and quality of life in older adults.
The Master’s program has a one-year duration (60 ECTS) and includes 300 hours of instructional activities, primarily conducted online via the Zoom platform, approximately 1 to 2 weekends per month, on Saturdays and Sundays or Fridays and Saturdays. Additionally, the program includes several in-person days throughout the year, which feature practical exercises at the School of Psychology of the University of Padua and professional training sessions at the facilities of the Institute for Residential and Assistance Services for the Elderly in Treviso.
The Master also includes a mandatory internship (300 hours) to be completed at elderly service centers, nursing homes (RSA), respite centers, day centers, centers for cognitive disorders and dementias, hospitals, associations and cooperatives, research institutes, or university departments/services.
At the end of the program, participants are required to submit a final paper (thesis) focusing on specific topics of interest, such as a clinical case study, experimental research work, a literature review, or an experience related to their internship training project.
Finally, the Master encourages and supports participation in conferences related to geropsychology and in continuing education and training seminars.
At the end of the Master in Geropsychology for Longevity and Dementia, based on the quality of the dissertation and the works carried out within the internship, the Master Direction can decide to award any deserving student with study prizes of variable amount, assigned by the Master’s partner institutions affiliated with the Master’s program:
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Institute for Residential and Assistance Services for the Elderly (ISRAA), Treviso (TV)
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AltaVita United Assistance Institutions (IRA), Padua (PD)
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Immaculate Conception Foundation (OIC), Padua (PD)
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CSA Tiepolo, San Martino di Lupari (PD)
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Sociocultural Cooperative, Mira (VE)
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Senior Veneto, Vicenza (VI)
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Alzheimer’s Disease Association Padua (AMAP), Padua (PD)
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Multifunctional Center Palazzo Malta, Venice (VE)
The internship can be completed at institutions located throughout the national territory, either already affiliated or to be affiliated with the University of Padua.
Among the local institutions already partnered with the Master’s program are:
- Psychology of Aging and Longevity Service affiliated with the University Clinical Psychological Services Center (SCUP) of the University of Padua (Padua)
- Institute for Residential and Assistance Services for the Elderly – ISRAA (Treviso)
- AltaVita United Assistance Institutions – IRA (Padua)
- Immaculate Conception Foundation – OIC (Padua and other Venetian locations)
- Nursing Home Adele Zara (Mira, VE)
- CSA Tiepolo (San Martino di Lupari, PD)
- IPAB la C.A.S.A (Schio, VI)
- Geriatrics Unit (UOC) OSA and Community Hospital, Sant’Antonio Hospital Complex, University Hospital of Padua (Padua)
- Omnia Social Enterprise Association (Verona)
- Regional Cerebral Aging Center (CRIC) – UOSD (Padua)
- Elderly care facilities in Roncade (TV) and Cordenons (PN)
- Anni Sereni Service Center (Scorzè, VE)
- Multifunctional Center Palazzo Malta (Venice)
- Senior Veneto, Vicenza (VI)
- Alzheimer’s Disease Association Padua (AMAP), Padua (PD)
- Elderly Service Center Marzotto Foundation, Valdagno (VI)
The general ranking of merit for the academic year 2025/26 will be published on the Italian page of this Master according to the timing provided in the Call.
Information
FAQ
The instructional activities (300 hours) consist of approximately 1 to 2 weekends per month of online lessons (via Zoom), held on Saturdays and Sundays or Fridays and Saturdays, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Additionally, throughout the year, several in-person teaching days are scheduled, dedicated to practical exercises and field-based deepening, held at the University of Padua and the ISRAA in Treviso.
Attendance is mandatory for at least 80% of the total teaching hours (i.e., a minimum of 240 hours out of 300).
No, the Master’s program does not grant ECM credits. However, participation in the Master exempts students from the requirement to obtain ECM credits for the year of enrollment.
The internship can be completed anywhere in the national territory, at institutions already affiliated with the University of Padua or following the establishment of new agreements. Students can verify the status of their chosen institution by contacting the Internship and Career Service Office. Alternatively, the affiliation status of the host institution can be checked when filling out the internship training project (only after enrollment in the Master) by accessing the personal area of the Unipd Careers Portal: if the institution is already affiliated, the system will display the agreement number and date of the agreement.
Yes, and it is possible to activate and carry out multiple internships simultaneously at the same institution, provided they relate to the field of care and work with elderly individuals or those with dementia (see the following FAQ).
Yes, and it is possible to activate and carry out multiple internships simultaneously at the same institution, provided they relate to the field of care and work with elderly individuals or those with dementia (see the following FAQ).
For those already undertaking a professional post-graduate internship, it is possible to also complete the Master’s internship at the same institution, provided the activities are related to Geropsychology/Psychology or Neuropsychology of aging. Furthermore, the Master’s internship can be completed at the student’s workplace, provided it is certified that the activities performed differ from the usual duties and are relevant to the course’s training content.