2023-08-21 03:30:08
Mirabelle plums and zucchini from the garden: “We are takers! », exclaims Pierre Di Crescenzo. In this month of August, the director of the accommodation establishment for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) in Beauzac (Haute-Loire) calls on the “family solidarity”. In return, kilos of fruit and vegetables are offered to him for the quiches and desserts of his boarders. So many donations that lighten his expenses. Cooking with local products is already worth an additional 20,000 euros in 2023, due to inflation. Or 12% increase for its budget ” meal “. “Residents were served fillet of beef at least once a month, he said. Now, because of the price, it will be every two months. »
Like its establishment, the 7,500 nursing homes in France are undergoing an economic crisis that threatens the quality of support for their 600,000 residents. Their revenues are falling. The number of unoccupied beds has reached a record level: 20,000 places are vacant, or 4% of the stock. A disaffection that stems from the loss of trust of families since the revelations about the practices of the private group of Ehpad Orpea – abuse, financial irregularities, etc. –, in 2022, and the Covid-19 pandemic, responsible for the death of 29,300 residents between 2020 and 2021.
Their expenses are increased tenfold by the soaring cost of energy, foodstuffs and hygiene products. But also by the insufficient compensation by the State for the strong salary increases for two years – Ségur de la santé agreements of July 2020, “old age” bonus, increase in the minimum wage and the index point for civil servants. Finally, the use of temporary workers to overcome recruitment difficulties is causing payroll costs to explode.
“The Covid pandemic caused a wave of professional absences which shortly preceded resignations”observes the sociologist Philippe Bataille, in Do with age (Ed. of the House of Human Sciences, 240 pages, 12 euros). “Ehpads live in silent agony because old people die quietly”laments Jean-Paul Laval, at the head of a foundation which manages two nursing homes in Haute-Loire.
Mop up the deficits
According to the French Hospital Federation (FHF), the public sector – 48% of establishments in France – had, in December 2022, 85% of nursing homes in deficit. Twice as much as in 2019. With an average overdraft of 146,000 euros. “Without rapid structural reforms, we fear for the sustainability of establishments in our sector”warns Marc Bourquin, FHF strategy advisor.
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