Fight against the isolation of seniors, reporting cases of abuse and still professional card for home helpers will be under discussion from the end of the afternoon and until Thursday, with more than a thousand amendments On the menu.
The subject is close to the heart of Renaissance MPs, who have worked hand in hand with their Horizons and MoDem colleagues, and with the government. And this, without waiting for the law on the “old age” that President Macron had promised in 2018 but which is no longer relevant.
A vast reform of this bloodless sector is still awaited, retirement homes such as home help struggling to recruit, even as the number of over 85s is skyrocketing and will reach 4.8 million people in 2050, against 2 million today.
A National Council for Refoundation (CNR), in which 10,000 people took part, has been working since November on the theme of “Aging well”, nourishing the reflections of the Minister of Solidarity and Autonomy, Jean-Christophe Combe.
Fight against the isolation of people in vulnerable situations
From the conclusions of the CNR issued last Tuesday, the minister retained a series of measures, such as respite solutions for “caregivers”. He will decline certain tracks in amendments, in particular on the opening of a “departmental public service of autonomy” for the elderly, disabled and caregivers, a kind of desired “one-stop shop”.
In this context, the Macronists’ bill brings itsStruggle according to his co-rapporteur Laurence Cristol (Renaissance), coordinating doctor in Ehpad in civilian life.
To combat the isolation of people in vulnerable situations, more exchanges of information are planned between mayors and social and health services.
Inclusive housing, which combines individual living spaces and shared spaces, will be encouraged.
A territorial body “to collect and process reports of mistreatment”, at home or in an establishment, will be created in order to make the link with the judicial authority. The measure echoes the Orpea scandal, following the publication in 2022 of the investigative book “Les Fossoyeurs” by journalist Victor Castanet on the abuse of residents of the private group of retirement homes.
Obligation of transparency for private nursing homes
On this subject, the government will defend an amendment to oblige lucrative private nursing homes to devote a fraction of the profits to improving the well-being of residents.
Institutions will be bound by an obligation of transparency and accessibility of their quality indicators and their evaluations.
In addition, the bill enshrines “a right of visit” for relatives as well as a “right to maintain” social ties and family life.
“Tiny Thing”
Another axis of the text concerns home workers. They will be able to have a professional card by 2025 at the latest to make their daily life easier, for parking for example.
The National Solidarity Fund for Autonomy (CNSA) will be able to financially help the departments which support the mobility of these professionals, in particular for the acquisition of clean vehicles.
“An empty shell” for the opposition
This set of provisions disappoints some professionals in the sector, and opposition to the Palais Bourbon. “It’s an empty shell”selon Josiane Corneloup (LR), “not the expected revolution” for Sandrine Dogor-Such (RN).
The left also crushed in committee “a tiny little thing”, by the voice of the rebellious François Ruffin. Socialist Jérôme Guedj said his “gigantic frustration” whereas a text on the subject could have been “unifier”, in a post-retreat debate period where consensus is sought. He prepared his own bill, with 166 articles instead of 14.
All promise “to enrich” devices in session.
“I know that expectations are high, on the part of the elderly, their families, professionals” et “we will not exhaust the subject of old age” with this text, admits the second Renaissance co-rapporteur Annie Vidal, agreeing that “yes, we need a big autonomy reform”, which only the government can drive. But this is not on the agenda.