Aging well at home has become one of the first wishes of the elderly. The problem is that their accommodation is not always suitable. In Languedoc-Roussillon, Carsat and Occitanie Méditerranée Habitat (OMH) signed a two-year agreement on Thursday February 17 to strengthen their home support. The social landlord, which brings together 28 HLM organizations, undertakes to adapt certain housing units thanks, in particular, to financial aid from the pension fund.
30% of HLM tenants are over 60 years old
A layout, “it can be a grab bar in the toilets or renovating a bathroom by transforming the bathtub into a shower by also putting grab bars to prevent falls” explains Marie-Christine d’Avrincourt, director of social action at Carsat Languedoc-Roussillon. “In fact, what we want is to allow the elderly person to have a home where they can stay regardless of their loss of autonomy or their dependence which is likely to increase over the years”.
We know that this is the priority put forward by seniors: staying at home as long as possible”- Marie-Christine d’Avrincourt, Carsat
“Rather than going to nursing homes, the elderly prefer to stay at home” continues Aurélie Le Gallée, director of OMH, “And it’s very important to keep your surroundings, your friendly network. And then it costs less perhaps?” An essential piece of information since in the political districts of the city (QPV), the over 60s represent 45% of tenants in HLM according to the OMH. The most precarious are also the most fragile. “A person who has few resources will have difficulty adapting their bathroom so we will provide them with financial assistance for the work” informs Marie-Christine d’Avrincourt.
“Before, donors offered a bouquet of flowers to a centenarian. Today, it’s more and more common” – Aurélie Le Gallée, OMH
To qualify for aidthere are a number of criteria : being retired from the general scheme, the criteria of resources, the degree of dependence of the elderly person. “With this partnership, we will be able to rely on the expertise of social landlords since they know their tenants. And they can also alert us to the needs of a person” indicates the director of Carsat.