Although the public authorities encourage the elderly to stay at home as much as possible, there are however circumstances where, for various reasons, this becomes impossible. The choice of accommodation can then be crucial… Retirement home, nursing home, nursing home: depending on the state of health and the degree of dependence of the senior, the services vary… and the prices too ! Here are some elements to see more clearly on the different rates applied.
Retirement: how much does a place in an EHPAD or a retirement home cost? – iStock.com/izusek
Retirement home / EHPAD: what are the differences?
The classic retirement home, also called Ehpa (housing establishment for the elderly) welcomes residents who are in principle autonomous. They are generally looking for accommodation allowing them to break their loneliness, to practice activities, and to benefit from entertainment. On the other hand, accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) are intended to accommodate dependent elderly people. The level of autonomy of the resident can be variable, it is evaluated by the “GIR” (group iso-resources) which contains six levels. GIR 1 is the strongest level of loss of autonomy, GIR 6 the weakest.
What average costs?
The cost of non-medical retirement homes is generally lower than that of nursing homes, but their price range is extremely wide… They can fluctuate from 300 euros per month for the most modest, to 3,000 euros. The differences in pricing are explained by more or less numerous and luxurious benefits and services; but also by the location of the residence. The most expensive are those located in the big cities, Paris of course coming first! The rates are broken down according to the following items: Administrative management costs (admissions, family liaison documents, accounting services, etc.); Costs of hotel services (accommodation in a single or double room, meals, upkeep, maintenance, heating, etc.); Entertainment costs (activities, workshops, etc.); Laundry charges. In Ehpad, where residents benefit from assistance 24 hours a day and where the staff includes at least hospital agents, nurses, a doctor, and AMP (medico-psychological assistance); prices vary between €1,500 and €6,000 per month. The dependency rate for this type of accommodation is determined according to the resident’s degree of loss of autonomy: There are thus three different scales, which are determined by the GIR: (GIR 1 and 2; GIR 3 and 4, GIR 5 and 6). The median payment ranges from €5.53 per day for a GIR 5-6 resident (very little dependent), to €20.51 per day for a GIR 1-2 resident (very dependent)*.
What financial aid?
Any senior living in a nursing home can benefit from assistance under the personalized autonomy allowance (APA), social assistance for accommodation (ASH), or even housing assistance. Individuals in full autonomy can ask their pension fund to try to obtain a contribution. *(CNSA, 2021)