On February 1, the government announced a double investigation, administrative and financial, against Orpea. This private group of retirement homes is accused of abusing residents, with rationed meals and elderly people who spend hours in their excrement for lack of nappies and personnel. “Several accusations are unfounded“, answers the new CEO of Orpea.
This case has repercussions on everyone in retirement homes. The Korian group, for example, a competitor of Orpea, has seen its shares lose 20% since the release of this survey.
Don’t put everyone in the same bag
For Claudine, a nursing assistant in a private retirement home in Vienne, whose name she does not wish to give, the risk now is that all establishments for the elderly have bad reputation, without distinction.
“We must not put everyone in the same bag. It’s not everyone because where I am, it’s not negative. We have everything necessary for residents, as for professionals, unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere“, believes this caregiver.
The lack of means is a big part of it.
“Despite everything, the means are not only the management, the professionals also have their share of responsibility. Some establishments should perhaps be checked a little more. The families are very worried with everything we hear, we feel it a lot“, acknowledges Claudine.
After an interview on February 1 with Minister responsible for the Autonomy of the Elderlythe new CEO of Orpea, Philippe Charrier is heard by the Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly on 2 February.