Loss of independence to affect 4 million senior citizens by 2050

According to a broad definition of elderly loss of independence that can apply both to people living in private dwellings and to those in care homes, 2.5 million senior citizens in France (excluding Mayotte) can be considered as having lost their independence in 2015. This amounts to 15.3% of those aged 60 and above. Of those, 700,000 can be considered as severely affected. The prevalence of elderly loss of independence is highest in the départements of the Massif Central, while the lowest rates are found in the Île-de-France region and in the West. Senior citizens living in the French Overseas départements are more likely to be suffering from loss of independence than those living in mainland France, and their average age is also lower.

8.8% of senior citizens over the age of 75 are living in a residential care home. Those living in the French Overseas départements, Paris and Corsica are more likely to be living in their own home than those in the western départements or the départements of the Massif Central.

If demographic trends and improvements in health continue at their current pace, by 2050, France (excluding Mayotte) will be home to 4 million senior citizens suffering from loss of independence, i.e. 16.4% of senior citizens. It will become significantly more prevalent in the French Overseas départements and in the south-east of France due to the impact of the demographic structure, while rates will remain stable within Hauts-de-Seine and Creuse.

If the percentage of persons living in care homes were to be kept at a constant level for each départements, gender, age group and disability level, the number of beds available in care homes would have to increase by 20% by 2030, and by more than 50% by 2050.