France current state of care
Now more than ever, governments, public entities, the private sector and all citizens have roles to play in addressing the family (unpaid) carer problem. Carers should not have to face these hardships and inequities alone. As a society, we can help them, together. See why we need to provide more structured support and help from our key findings and insights directly from carers around the world.
What is your country currently doing to support carers?
Find out all you need to know about the current state of care in France. Our information covers topics like legislation, working arrangement for carers, respite care, what your country is doing to financially support carers, pension credits and the information and training you have access to.
Legislation
Current practises
The Law on the Adaptation of Society to Aging (loi relative à l’adaptation de la société au vieillissement), defines an unpaid carer as someone who regularly assists, on a non-professional basis, to perform some or all the acts of daily living of a frail elderly person.i
Opportunities to increase support
Increase funding to implement the Law on the Adaptation of Society to Aging in a consistent manner.
Working arrangements
Current practises
An unpaid carer can request leave without pay to care for a loved one with loss of autonomy or disability for up to three months in a split way or in the form of part-time work. Carers of a child with a handicap may request additional leave.iv
Opportunities to increase support
Current legislation on flexible working arrangements is promising, but the implementation and funding of these new measures at a regional level remains limited.
Respite care
Current practises
The Law on the Adaptation of Society to Aging gives unpaid carers the right to take a break in the form of an annual lump sum to finance day care or temporary accommodation.vi
Opportunities to increase support
Provide more funding for professional household services, professional respite and day- and night-care.
Financial support
Current practises
Unpaid carers can receive indirect financial support through the personalized independence allowance, intended to partly cover expenses to ensure autonomy of elderly people, and the disability allowance, a personalized allowance for disabled people.ii The disabled education allowance exists for carers of children who are severely disabled.iii
Opportunities to increase support
Reduce bureaucratic obstacles, making it easier for unpaid carers to obtain support for their dependent.
Pension credits
Current practises
Unpaid carers that have stopped working to look after a child or an adult with a disability in the family home can benefit, under certain conditions, from the old-age insurance of a family carer which guarantees continuity in pension rights and can benefit from an extension of the term of the old-age insurance. Unpaid carers may also be able to claim a full pension from age 65 instead of age 67.v
Opportunities to increase support
Revise eligibility requirements allowing unpaid carers to more easily access old-age insurance.
Information and training
Current practises
A government sponsored online platform provides a comprehensive source of information related to unpaid carers in terms of new regulations, laws and support, including economic incentives, training and psychosocial support. The French Association of Carers offers six online training modules for unpaid carers.
Opportunities to increase support
ncrease awareness of training and services currently available to unpaid carers.
References
i French Government. (2016). The law on the adaptation of society to aging. Page 1. https://www.pour-les-personnes-agees.gouv.fr/actualites/la-loi- relative-ladaptation-de-la-societe-au-vieillissement [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]
ii European Commission. France – Long-term care. Page 1. http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1110&langId=en&intPageId=4536 [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]
iii French League for Human Rights. (2016). Speaking out Against the Gender Pay Gap. Page 31. http://www.liga.or.at/site/assets/files/2017/ studieenglisch.pdf {Date Accessed: 16 July 2018}.
iv Aidant Attitude. (2017). Caregivers, what rights and tools do you have? Page 1. https://aidantattitude.fr/2018/01/17/vos-droits-tant-quaidants.php [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]
v French Association of Carers. Retirement for Carers. Page 1. https://www.aidants.fr/fiche-pratique-retraite-pour-aidants [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]
vi French Government. (2016). The law on the adaptation of society to aging. Page 1. https://www.pour-les-personnes-agees.gouv.fr/actualites/la-loi- relative-ladaptation-de-la-societe-au-vieillissement [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]
GL-NONPR-00330 [September 2022]