Growing older in France doesn’t have to be stressful — in fact, France has one of the most comprehensive support systems in Europe for aging residents. Whether you’re an English-speaking retiree living here or caring for an aging loved one, understanding what help is available can make all the difference. So, let’s break it all down in a friendly, fuss-free way.
🏡 Staying Independent at Home: What Help Can You Get?
Most older adults want to remain in their homes for as long as possible — and in France, that’s entirely doable thanks to a wide range of in-home support services:
✨ Home Help (Aide à Domicile)
If you need help with housework, cooking, errands, or personal care (like bathing or dressing), you can request aide à domicile through your local CCAS (Centre Communal d’Action Sociale) or your departmental council. This can be partially or fully subsidized depending on your income and level of dependency.
👩⚕️ Home Nursing (Soins Infirmiers à Domicile)
For more medical support at home — like dressing wounds, injections, or medication management — a doctor can prescribe visits from a nurse (infirmier/infirmière) who comes to your home. This service is reimbursed by the French healthcare system.
🍽️ Meal Delivery (Portage de Repas)
If cooking is becoming difficult, meals-on-wheels services are available through local authorities or private providers. Meals are often tailored to dietary needs and delivered daily or weekly.
👴 Support for Caregivers and Families
Looking after an aging parent or relative is a beautiful act of love — but it can also be overwhelming, especially in a foreign system. Here are some supports to lighten the load:
📞 MAIA and Coordination Services
France has local geriatric coordination services (often called MAIA or DAC) to help assess your loved one’s needs and coordinate services — from home care to housing options.
💰 Financial Aid for Caregivers
If you’re living with and caring for an elderly relative, you might qualify for tax breaks or financial aid, depending on your income and the level of dependency of the person you’re supporting.
💸 What Financial Help is Available?
APA (Allocation Personnalisée d’Autonomie)
This is the big one. APA is a monthly allowance for people over 60 who need assistance with daily life. It helps cover home help, equipment, or part of a care home bill. You apply through your departmental council, and it’s means-tested.
PCH (Prestation de Compensation du Handicap)
For those under 60 who already have a disability and age into needing more care, PCH may continue to apply. It covers support staff, home adaptations, and more.
🏠 Moving into a Care Home (EHPAD)
When staying at home is no longer safe or feasible, EHPADs (residential care homes) are the next step. These are medicalized care homes offering full-time nursing and daily assistance. There are both public and private options — costs vary widely, and some financial assistance is available.
There are also non-medical résidences autonomie for more independent seniors who want a community setting with optional support.
👟 Extra Services That Make Life Easier
- Transport adapté: Subsidised or free transport to medical appointments.
- Teleassistance: Emergency call buttons for people living alone.
- Home adaptations: Financial help to modify a bathroom, install stair lifts, or improve safety.
📚 French Words Worth Knowing
- Aide à domicile – Home help
- Soins infirmiers – Nursing care
- APA – Personalized Autonomy Allowance
- EHPAD – Residential care home
- Résidence autonomie – Independent senior living
- Infirmier/infirmière – Nurse
- Téléassistance – Emergency alert system
🤝 How Hello Santé Can Help
At Hello Santé, we know how overwhelming navigating all of this in French can be. We’re here to guide you every step of the way — from understanding eligibility and filling out forms, to booking assessments or finding trusted providers near you. Whether you’re an older adult yourself or supporting a loved one, we help make the process smoother, clearer, and far less stressful.