Ehpad: the government is embarking on a vast plan for aging well in establishments

Will the publication of the shock investigation book “Les Fossoyeurs” by independent journalist Victor Castanet make things happen? After the time of amazement and indignation, the government now seems determined to act. He wants to change the rules concerning establishments welcoming the elderly and aging well in general. And it was the Minister of Health Olivier Véran, who announced several measures yesterday, Tuesday March 8.

Ehpad control campaign every two years

To better supervise establishments welcoming elderly residents, the Minister of Health announces the launch of a vast control plan for the 7,500 nursing homes in France in two years, which “will start on the nursing homes that have been reported”.

In its press release, the government also mentions “a shock of transparency from establishments to residents and families “, which will focus on different indicators to compare nursing homes: for example the management rate, the staff turnover rate, the absenteeism rate, the profile of the rooms (double/single), the daily budget for meals per person, the presence of a night nurse and a coordinating physician, partnerships with a health network, etc.

Better price regulation

In addition, the government wants to better regulate the prices of these establishments, whose exorbitant prices (2000 euros per month on average in the public against 3000 euros in the private sector) have been regularly singled out in recent weeks.

An online platform will also be created to report potential abuse, both by families and by professionals. Finally, the national number dedicated to the fight against abuse of the elderly, 3977, will be provided with an additional million euros for its financing.

Korian welcomes these advances

The private group Korian, private manager of residences for the elderly, which was also in turmoil following the Orpéa scandal, welcomes these initiatives in a press release. The group recalls thatthe care of the elderly and fragile is at the heart of the concerns of the French” and “all measures to build trust between residents, their families, and the staff responsible for accompanying them in the establishments must be implemented”. Korian thus announces that it wants to work in this direction and that these steps have even already been initiated “during the last years”.

It will now be necessary to follow these announcements over time in order to realize their proper implementation within the 7500 nursing homes in France.