As in Germany, there are also various self-help associations and contact points for people with Parkinson's in Italy. Massi is involved in two national associations, Parkinson Italia, an umbrella organization, and AIGP, an association for young patients, which Massi chairs. The organizations are currently working together to set up a national network in order to be able to bring certain topics to the public, but above all to politics, with more emphasis.
Taking care of young people is new in Italy. Nobody knows exactly how many young people with Parkinson's disease there are in Italy. Officially, no distinction is made according to age at diagnosis. The symptoms and course of the disease look very different in young people. Massi even goes so far as to say that young people with the disease are a completely different disease. The Association for Young Patients, which has offices in all parts of Italy, is working to collect this information and data in order to promote more differentiated care for patients.