Life after vaccination in nursing homes

Audio 02:34

A health worker speaks with an elderly woman at the EHPAD de Beauregard in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, in the south of Paris, November 12, 2020. (Photo illustration) AFP - GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT

By: Marine de La Moissonnière Follow

6 mins

In France, the vaccination of elderly people living in nursing homes is entering its home stretch.

According to the Ministry of Health, 87% of residents have already received their first injection and 62% have both.

Two and a half months after the start of the vaccination campaign, the majority of people living in retirement homes are now considered immune to Covid-19.

Little by little, life is therefore resuming in nursing homes.

Report at the Abbey Residence in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, south-east of Paris.

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"General culture" activity this afternoon at the Residence de l'Abbaye for around fifteen elderly people playing in the restaurant.

There are still 15 days, to meet all together was impossible.

Barrier gestures remain in place even though nearly 90% of the 209 residents are vaccinated.

But at least, there is no longer any question of staying locked up on her floor and that, for Huguette Galant, is essential.

 The atmosphere changes, it has nothing to do with it and it cheers us up a bit.

We feel like a renewal

 ”, testifies Huguette.

Another long-awaited change, the return of room visits announced on Saturday by Brigitte Bourguignon, the Minister of Autonomy.

Gone, therefore, the one-hour meetings by appointment in a common room where we do not always get along.

Simone Board is delighted to finally be able to welcome her family to her home.

“ 

It's so much more convenient, for me and for them too.

It's more intimate.

 "

On the other hand, with regard to family outings, the Abbey residence had not waited for new government recommendations to let the elderly go to their relatives.

“I

haven't seen my great-grandchildren for a year.

So you speak of a joy! 

»Exclaims Lydie Richard who was able to celebrate her 91 years with her daughter.

“ 

They said they were happy and I was afraid they wouldn't recognize me anymore.

It's so good when you can follow the little ones, what they do at school, etc ... A very simple life!

 "

The best then, but not yet ideal because many residents would like to return to the cinema or the museum.

During a painting workshop, Andrée Brion, 95, has just finished painting a port.

What she dreams of is Brittany.

“ 

I haven't been out for a year.

We've been locked up for a year.

I want to go out, to go see the sea,

 ”she tells us.

For life to resume its course even more at the Residence of the Abbey, it would now be necessary for the nursing staff to be more vaccinated.

So far, only 30% of them are.

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  • Health and medicine

  • Coronavirus

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