Demonstrating behind a banner with the message “For the dignity and the respect of our older people and of professionals we demand more resources”, care home professionals and managers reported that current financial constraints and insufficient staffing make the situation “scandalous and catastrophic”. As expressed by a trade union representative, “we are witnessing today the maltreatment of older people and of staff”. Professionals report insufficient time to perform their tasks and unbearable work overload.
Pascal Champvert, president of AD-PA and representative of the European Association for Directors and Providers of Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly (EDE) at AGE’s Council of Administration, gave an interview to Le Monde. He declared that “for staff, it is not possible anymore to continue working under such conditions of chronic under-staffing, with never enough time to spend on older people and impossible time and financial constraints”. He denounced that French authorities are not yet fully aware of the extent of the problems and called on developing a global policy response in favour of older people.
Nicole Legrain, from AGE France, published also a comment about the situation, which you can read here.
In order to explore the links between working conditions and quality of care services, AGE will organise, 5 June 2018, for the first time and together with UNI Europa trade union, a conference on this issue to mark the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
For any questions or remarks, do not hesitate to contact Borja Arrue, AGE’s Project and Policy Officer responsible for long-term care and borja.arrue@age-platform.eu
