POINT OF VIEW. The old, forgotten of the Republic

In recent months, we have heard everything about nursing homes and support for the elderly… Your grandparents, your parents, yourself perhaps. Today, 600,000 people live in nursing homes, establishments that are just one response among other support systems for the elderly: independent residences, senior residences, home services, etc. More than 1.5 million French people have more 85 years old. They will be 5 million in 2050.

As it begins a new five-yearwe, directors of establishments and services for the elderly who are members of the FNADEPA

let us alert to the risk of bankruptcy of support for old age and call on the State to finally implement an appropriate policy.

We are facing a staff shortage on an unprecedented scale, in both the public and private sectors. We can no longer recruit. All positions are affected: caregivers, nurses, doctors but also home help, service agents, animators, cooks, accountants, and even directors.

The lack of recognition of trades and the working conditions made difficult by chronic understaffing scare away potential suitors. Our sector is becoming precarious, our professions are becoming dehumanized and the elderly are suffering. While their support and care needs are increasing, in nursing homes, there are on average 6.3 staff – all positions combined – for every 10 residents. A shame when there are 10 professionals for every 10 residents in Denmark.

However, a demographic tsunami is upon us with the arrival in 2026 of the first baby boomers over 80 years old. According to projections, we will have to recruit more than 350,000 professionals by 2030… With a magic wand?

Like the entire health system, our sector is deteriorating and with it, support for our seniors. Low noise. Despite the incredible commitment of the professionals and the ingenuity of everyone.

Already, many nursing homes are closing beds for lack of staff. Already, some of our seniors benefit from fewer hours of home support today than 15 years ago. An aberration when the French want to stay at home as long as possible and the public authorities encourage this residential shift.

The state of absent subscribers

This situation, nobody and even less the State can ignore it. For more than 15 years, governments have systematically postponed the old age reform they had promised. Since 2018, strikes and a dozen reports have denounced it.

Despite this, the public authorities (State and departments) continue to vote insufficient budgets. Insufficient to increase the number of professionals to meet real needs, insufficient to cope with inflation. Insufficient for the system not to fail.

Why such a fate? Are the elderly so discredited by our society?

Even the Court of Auditors, usually thrifty, recommends increasing spending and investments for the sector and initiating structural reforms! And yet, in the face of recent scandals, the state only offers controls and no new means.

Yet the state is totally responsible. Responsible for inertia for years. Responsible for systematically relegating old age to the last rank of priorities. Responsible for neglecting the real needs of its elderly citizens. Responsible for concealing the aging of its population.

If the State does not react urgently, we will have to make choices: fewer staff, less quality of service, less support. These choices we refuse to make. It is up to the public authorities to act!

We do not want yet another report, scattered measures.

We want to have the means to guarantee fair and quality support.

We want to be able to recruit 30% more staff and train qualified professionals.

We want a global overhaul of support for old age, a simplification of funding and management, a massive plan to prevent the loss of autonomy.

We want a Great Age and Autonomy law.

It is a political and financial choice, but above all a societal one. What support do we want? Why should old age deserve less respect and investment than youth? We have never seen a demonstration of “grey vests”. Not yet…

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