Home Support for Elderly: Report Calls for Reform
- Frédéric Bizard, founder of the Health Institute, argues that France's focus on nursing homes is unsustainable and advocates for prioritizing at-home care to address growing needs and free...
- Economist Frédéric Bizard deplores what he describes as a stalled turning point in French elder care, stating that a necessary shift remains "an Arlesian," or an illusion.
- Bizard's critique, detailed in a report released alongside his presentation, centers on the current system's financial strain and lack of tangible improvements in care.
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Economist Calls for Radical shift in French elder Care System
Frédéric Bizard, founder of the Health Institute, argues that France’s focus on nursing homes is unsustainable and advocates for prioritizing at-home care to address growing needs and free up public funds.
Published September 18, 2024, at 11:24 AM EDT
The Unsustainable Path of Nursing home reliance
Economist Frédéric Bizard deplores what he describes as a stalled turning point in French elder care, stating that a necessary shift remains “an Arlesian,” or an illusion. Bizard, speaking at the Congress of the Feduesap on Thursday, September 18, 2024, argues for a more direct approach, stating he wants to ”put your feet in the dish” – a French idiom for speaking frankly.
Bizard’s critique, detailed in a report released alongside his presentation, centers on the current system’s financial strain and lack of tangible improvements in care. He contends that concentrating resources on Établissements d’Hébergement pour Personnes Âgées Dépendantes (EHPAD), or nursing homes, for the past two decades has created a situation akin to the “Tonneau des Danaïdes” – a mythical task of endlessly filling a leaky barrel, representing a futile and costly effort.
According to Bizard, social security deficits are widening without a corresponding “enhancement” in care quality. He points to issues within EHPADs, including a shortage of caregivers and insufficient support for those who wish to remain in their homes.
Prioritizing At-Home Care: A Sustainable Solution
Bizard, a professor at ESCP Business School, champions at-home support as the “dominant model” for addressing the growing needs of France’s aging population by 2030. He believes this approach is not only preferred by the French public but also offers a pathway to financial sustainability.
The Health Institute, founded by Bizard, is an independent research association focused on social policies. Its research suggests that a shift towards at-home care can free up public funds currently allocated to increasingly expensive and often inadequate nursing home placements.
France’s Aging Population: Key Statistics (2024)