E08 | Health Investigation | Aging at Home: the Best Choice?

Most French people want to live at home for as long as possible. It has even become a priority following the recent scandals that have rocked care homes. But to enable people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, the right choices need to be made. Home adaptations, assistance with daily living, telecare… What are the keys to ageing well at home? Is it possible to avoid a care home right until the end? And how much does staying at home really cost? Care homes have never been anyone’s dream. But since the scandals that have rocked the Orpea group, more than ever, the French want to grow old at home. But what can you do when health problems pile up, when you lose your balance or can no longer cook for yourself? Staying at home quickly becomes impossible without outside help or home adaptations. Support is available – everyone knows that – but where should you turn to get it? To support our elderly people across France, an army of professionals travels thousands of kilometres every day: nurses, care assistants and home helpers, who are essential for carrying out everyday tasks – such as Michèle, whose daily marathon we followed. But the sector is struggling to recruit, and across France there is said to be a shortfall of nearly 100,000 home helpers. Innovative solutions are now making it possible to envisage the future of home care. The health of older people can now be monitored remotely using smartwatches that send an alert in the event of a fall or a medical emergency.