We left for four to six difficult weeks
, does not hide Florence Arnaiz-Maumé, general delegate of Synerpa, a union representing private establishments housing the elderly. The coronavirus has again entered nursing homes. More than 74,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 last week, or about 10% of all residents living in a facility for the elderly, in France. On the death side, we took a leap
, can only note Florence Arnaiz-Maumé: 1,148 deaths last week against less than 100 per week, in September.
However, the means of fight are more substantial than last spring: the establishments are now equipped with masks, gowns, gloves. They also test extensively staff and residents. But by testing on a large scale, they also find a number of positive cases, especially among employees. This poses incredible staffing problems. If there are 20% of positive cases in an establishment, it is all the staff that must be put in septage overnight
, we remind Synerpa. How to replace them? The regional health agencies have indeed set up reinforcement platforms. But nobody registers on it
, notes Florence Arnaiz-Maumé.
The appeal of Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders, which operates in fifty-six nursing homes, launched an appeal on Tuesday, November 10 to form mobile teams of caregivers who could intervene in the most difficult establishments. The Ministry of Health has launched a recruitment campaign. The needs are urgent and the Synerpa wants training in three months of support in gerontology can quickly see the light of day to compensate for the lack of caregivers.
However, in this already tense context, the families of residents are also drawing the alarm bell. Some establishments have already suspended or reduced family visits, despite the Prime Minister’s assurance, at the end of September: We do not refine the Ehpad.
The distress of families
Some school officials open the umbrella wide and re-define the residents. It’s incomprehensible ! We know that the elderly will let themselves slip a little more. They did not deserve this, nor their relatives. But who to turn to?
, indignant Philippe Prince-Demartini, at the head of the association of families of victims of Covid-19 (Favicovid). The new human rights defender, Claire Hédon, has already been alerted to this subject: Visitation bans for the elderly are unbearable
, she insists.
Synerpa agrees: During the first confinement, we sometimes forgot to have good communication and a good link with the families. Each family should have at least weekly information from the nursing home where their loved one is located
, notes Florence Arnaiz-Maumé who recognizes that the organization of visits which require staff, hardens
.
– .
