Paris (AFP)

The epidemic of the new coronavirus reveals the chronic understaffing of nursing homes (Ehpad) but also a solidarity of all categories of staff to care for the elderly, provide comfort and maintain family ties.

The "blue plan" launched by the government at the beginning of March in retirement homes - and its equivalent the white plan in health establishments - imposed a "maximum" mobilization in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic.

In practice, "the lack of staff was already glaring before, the establishments are even more affected with up to 40% absenteeism in certain places", deplores Malika Belarbi, nursing assistant and responsible for the national collective CGT for the reception of the elderly.

However, "in an under-staffed sector throughout the year, it is in your interest to show solidarity, all the more in times of crisis", adds Romain Gizolme, director of the Association of Directors of Service of the elderly (AD-PA).

"Fortunately, the other services are there: administrative staff, pedicures, beauticians, psychologists help us. They are on the front line to strengthen the teams. It is not their job but they do it out of solidarity and dedication", insists Malika Belarbi, who recounts having "found herself two days ago with a pedicure doing the dishes for 40 residents".

- "The hierarchical barriers fall" -

"When you have to impose confinement, fortunately the nursing staff and nursing staff help the catering staff to distribute meals in the room," says Romain Gizolme.

"Management agents, secretaries help us make them eat, I team up with a colleague from Brittany who has come to help. It does us a lot of good," explains Marie-France.

Aïcha, who works in the admissions department of an Asnières nursing home (Hauts-de-Seine), volunteered to support her nursing colleagues. "I release them from their administrative tasks", such as organizing the departure of the deceased. She describes a "chain of solidarity" that sends her "to the field every day".

"There is everyone's involvement. I have never seen so much solidarity between the teams," confirms Raphaël Berhaïel, CFDT central delegate within the Korian group, number one in Europe for retirement homes.

"Before, there was a certain individualism. We finished the job and we went home. Today, we take news. There is a desire to take good care of each other. Even the hierarchical barriers fall", adds Mr. Berhaïel.

Staff often go out of their way to maintain contact with loved ones. "Teams have been put in place to give families daily news," said the caregiver.

"In my establishment, a host organizes videoconference sessions via Skype," says Marie-France. "We try to take the time, to be as much as possible with the residents to support them. Some of those who left us died not of the Covid but of sadness."

For Romain Gizolme, "this crisis reveals the best, the great commitment of professionals, sometimes at the cost of their health. And also the worst, by showing how the sector is understaffed".

© 2020 AFP