The price increases, in particular of food and energy, have burdened the accounts of this municipal establishment in Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe, explains its director Audrey Growas, standing in a large room, still decorated for the holidays. year, where a dozen residents seated at a table peel vegetables in a good mood.

In addition, the salary increases for caregivers decided by the government, in particular during the Ségur de la santé, but not financed by the State, amount to 78,000 euros per year, she adds, putting the Ehpad, which accommodates 82 residents, in deficit.

"We are anti-Orpea: we are very careful about the staff we recruit, we are not on an accounting system of economic profitability, we are on a public service for the elderly" and "a service quality public, it has a cost", underlines the mayor of this village of 10,000 inhabitants, Raphaël Bernardin, leader LREM in the Tarn from 2018 until October 2022.

A conception of the reception of the elderly which differs from certain establishments in the private sector, and which he wishes to preserve.

"Private nursing homes, he insists, are much more expensive for families. You can't find a private nursing home at 1,800 euros" per month, alluding to the current prices of Residence Chez Nous (between 1,750 and 1,950 euros) .

- "Well served, well cared for" -

Around the large table where the facilitators have placed the vegetables – carrots, zucchini, leeks or onions – the residents seem very far from these concerns.

Yvette Catusse, 95, a former farmer like many other residents, recently widowed, "after 73 years of marriage", says she is well in the nursing home and appreciates "the entertainment" offered to her.

"I don't miss anything. We are well served, well cared for," she says, smiling.

“And well fed,” add several other residents.

In "the relationship with humans, whether in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, you cannot be on a so-called system of economic profitability", continues the mayor, who left the executive office of Renaissance (ex -LREM) last October.

At the same time, a dozen other people, less able-bodied, remain seated near the large windows, in silence most of the time.

A resident of a public nursing home in Saint-Sulpice-La-Pointe, in the south-west of France, on January 4, 2023 © Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP

In another room, dedicated to care adapted to people with neurodegenerative diseases, a facilitator helps a few residents to play petanque.

Visibly motivated to work in a structure that respects its residents, the employees nevertheless mention the lack of staff and their efforts to hold on, while recruitment is difficult and absenteeism is increasing.

"I don't count my hours", sums up Vincent Camallonga, 27, who has worked in the Ehpad for seven years and really likes being part of "this family" where there is "a good atmosphere".

"Relation to the human"

In the context of a budget deficit, the mayor of Saint-Sulpice does not rule out closing beds to balance the accounts, while around fifteen people are on the waiting list to come to the nursing home.

“Our situation is not unique. The 17 nursing homes in the Tarn are experiencing comparable difficulties”, underlines Laurence Blanc, deputy mayor.

Bedroom of a public nursing home in Saint-Sulpice-La-Pointe, in the south-west of France, on January 4, 2023 © Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP

According to a survey carried out by the French Hospital Federation (FHF), which represents 3,000 public nursing homes, 85% of establishments forecast a deficit for the year 2022, compared to 45% in 2019, before the Covid epidemic.

More generally, the FHF calls for a more ambitious programming law.

However, "the means that the government plans to devote to it at this stage (2.4 billion euros per year) are four times lower than the needs for the 2030 deadline", she specifies.

"Is there a state will to let public nursing homes collapse?" Asks the mayor, adding: "In the end, a private nursing home does its business and asks nothing of the state" .

© 2023 AFP