They are less than a quarter to be protected against Covid-19. In nursing homes, vaccination reminders are struggling to reach residents, yet “more at risk”, recalled the Minister of Health, François Braun, Friday, December 9, during a press conference. Faced with the increase in the number of contaminations, the government’s objective is clear: to increase the vaccination figures, hitherto at their lowest in nursing homes, and avoid new restrictions.
Already last week, an establishment in Bas-Rhin closed its doors to relatives of residents. No more visits allowed, after the discovery of new cases of Covid-19. A decision synonymous with “abuse” for Laurence Reynes, co-founder of the Circle of Caregivers in Ehpad (CPAE), created in October 2020.
Like her, thousands of families and loved ones have come together in groups or associations in recent years. These groupings have multiplied since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which there were “difficult confinement situations”, notes Annabelle Vêques, director of the National Federation of Associations of Directors of Establishments and Services for the Elderly (Fnadepa). These movements “were also fueled by accusations of abuse against the establishments of the Orpea group”, she adds.
“Alert the authorities”
The questions are, in fact, more numerous in the corridors of the Ehpad Lumières d’automne in Saint-Ouen (Seine-Saint-Denis). The families are particularly concerned about the day-to-day management of the 80 residents, in particular “the number of staff or on the operation of exchanges”, explains Ève Guillaume, the director of the establishment.
An evolution, certainly, but not a rupture. Relatives, according to Ève Guillaume, “have always been invested” in caring for their elders. What has changed is that they “raise their voice within collectives”, observes Florence Arnaiz-Maumé, general delegate of the National Union of establishments, residences and private home help services for the elderly (Synerpa). They no longer hesitate “to speak up” et “to alert the public authorities to possible malfunctions”, confirms Pascal Champvert, president of the Association of directors serving the elderly (AD-PA).
Integrate families
Visibility still insufficient for collectives and associations. They want greater participation of relatives in management decisions. The law obliges the latter to establish a social life council (CVS), bringing together representatives of residents, families and staff to integrate them into the operation of the establishments. But “less than one in fifty CVS works properly», assures Patrick Collardot, president of the association Touch not my old people.
At the heart of their requests: to promote exchanges with and between families. “It is important that the word circulates”, emphasizes Laurence Reynes. She regrets the postponement or suspension in recent years, by certain departments, of family events, such as meals or entertainment between relatives and residents. Appointments, according to her, necessary to create a link and “to meet eyes”.
With an average of more than 60,000 daily Covid cases, fear of further restrictions has grown among families of residents. Tuesday, December 6, however, the ministers of health, François Braun, and solidarity, Jean-Christophe Combe, sent a letter to the directors of Ehpad, reaffirming, among other things, the need to preserve the rights of visit and exit. residents as the end-of-year holidays approach. Concerns persist for Laurence Reynes: “We don’t want our elders to spend a third Christmas in prison. »