Between the difficulties specific to their condition and the lack of availability of relatives, living alone can be experienced as a sad fate for seniors.

While some appreciate the safety and comfort of retirement homes, others deplore their overly strict rules of life and their sometimes unfriendly environment.

Host families for the elderly then offer an intermediate solution.

The alliance of security and freedom

These structures are an option for a senior or an independent couple, whose state of health does not require a medical environment.

This accommodation can be temporary or permanent, full-time or part-time, depending on the needs of the applicant.

The main advantage of this solution is to offer a great freedom to the resident.

Indeed, the elderly “tenant” has the possibility of coming and going as he pleases, without time constraints.

They simply undertake to take part in the daily life of the foster home, in particular by sharing their meals with their hosts and by participating in group outings.

Strict supervision for welcoming guests

Host families must obtain an authorization issued for five years by the departmental council, following an investigation which must determine whether they indeed meet the material conditions necessary for the care of a vulnerable person.

In practice, it is imperative to offer a single room of 9 m2 minimum for a single guest, against 16 m2 for a couple, as well as private amenities, in order to guarantee the privacy of the guest, and free access to the rooms. housing municipalities.

The hosts are also required to provide food, board and laundry.

More broadly, accommodation providers must ensure the comfort and well-being of their elderly resident, even if it means helping them with daily tasks.

In order to ensure this, a medico-social follow-up is also carried out by the departmental services throughout the duration of the accommodation.

Status and remuneration of the host

The host can be an employee of a structure - nursing home, association, medico-social institute, municipality - or directly remunerated by the person accommodated.

In both cases, he is the subject of an employment contract and enjoys the same rights as any employee: paid leave, sick leave, social security cover, etc.

Given the diversity of situations, it is difficult to define the average salary of a host family.

This depends on a multitude of factors such as the number and nature of the services rendered, the amount of accommodation costs, the presence of a disability and the estimated rent for the rental of the room and the enjoyment of the premises. .

However, certain public aids dedicated to the senior public can lighten the bill, such as personalized home autonomy allowance (APA), housing assistance or social housing assistance (ASH).

Economy

Seniors: Autonomous residences or serviced residences, what are the differences?

Economy

How does the real estate market court seniors?

Where can I find out more?

Different associations allow seniors to find family carers and households to know if they can be candidates for this type of service:

  • Famidac.fr: the structure offers an interactive map of welcoming guests and a cost simulator for this type of accommodation.

  • France accueil familial: it provides information on the legislation in force and puts in contact with associations likely to help in its procedures.

    Go to Franceaf.fr.

  • National Federation of Family Caregivers: The Fnaaf.org site also allows you to find host families and learn about this formula.

  • Economy

  • Housing

  • Family

  • Senior

  • Addiction