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Elderly

Var resident leaves €2.5m to his commune - on one condition

The man passed away at the age of 95

French 'village' alternative for retirees who do not want nursing home

The furnished homes in Dordogne are purpose-built and the site comes with a range of facilities. There are plans to open other such sites soon

US veteran, 100, to marry in Normandy on 80th commemoration of D-Day

The man, who participated in the 1944 landings, says ‘positivity and love’ are the secrets to his longevity

news

Runner breaks new record in Normandy - at age 82

The athlete ran at an incredible 18 km/h per hour, breaking both the Normandy and French records

Where are the best places to grow old in France?

Is your region on the list? The south-west did particularly well in the ranking

Older drivers in France will not have to sit medical, says minister

France is opposed to a ‘licence expiry date’, he said but one accident victim has called his position ‘appalling’

Is an English ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’ valid in France?

LPAs are put in place by many wishing to ensure that their financial and or health affairs are protected should their circumstances change

Older drivers must pass medical tests to stay on French roads, says MP

Bruno Millienne wants people over 75 to have check-ups every five years to prove they are fit to keep driving

Why I am in favour of tighter licence controls for drivers in France

A reader gives feedback on how the UK and France’s driving licence controls differ

Should older drivers in France be required to take a medical test?

The long-running debate has been relaunched by campaigner and tennis Paralympian Pauline Déroulède, who lost her leg in 2018 after an accident caused by a 92-year-old

Drivers aged 65 and over offered free refresher courses in east France

The courses, which feature lessons designed for older people – such as how common medications can affect concentration – come after a rise in accidents among over-65s

French health authority backs second booster dose for over 65s at risk

An extra Covid vaccine shot is already being offered to over 80s

France launches plan to protect elderly from dangerous falls

The aim is to reduce the risk, adapt homes, offer assistance and boost preventative physical activity. More than 10,000 elderly people die in France each year due to falls

France lockdown: Can I visit from the UK to help my parents?

Helping elderly parents is considered a valid reason for travel in France.

France pledges €240m for struggling at-home elderly care services

Low salaries and the Covid crisis have worsened staff shortages in the sector meaning that availability is now a ‘postcode lottery’ and some requests for help are being denied

Covid France: Doctors oppose targeted lockdown for elderly

Leading medical experts have suggested older people be required to self-isolate instead of imposing a national lockdown on the young, but doctors say this is cruel

Expert says France must use RNA Covid vaccines for elderly

As the AstraZeneca vaccine is approved in France – except for over 65s – the vice-president of a medical society calls for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be reserved for over 75s

Vaccinations to begin for over 75s in France: How-to guide

As the prime minister confirms that vaccines for over 75 will begin on January 18, we explain the process step-by-step

Covid France: 60% of new cases now being detected

A new ministerial study has found that almost 60% of new cases in France are now being picked up, up from 12% in July

French charity gifts desserts to elderly alone at Christmas

Members of the public can buy festive treats in participating bakeries and online to gift to elderly people celebrating alone this year

Christmas: Grandparents should eat alone says French doctor

A leading French hospital professor has given strict advice for keeping family members safe over the festive season, as figures show the brutal effects of Covid-19 on over 75s in France

La Poste staff will check up on your relatives

Veiller sur mes parents scheme means post staff will make between one to six visits a week to vulnerable people while on their rounds

France dismisses idea of extra Covid lockdown for elderly

Officials deny rumours of targeted isolation plans, but suggest debate on introducing checks to ensure people with Covid are staying at home

French neurologist hopeful on early Alzheimer’s diagnosis

A prominent French neurology professor has suggested that a network of “memory centres”, and a new smartphone app, could help with ongoing “hopeful” research into early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

French woman, 100, on hunger strike for right to die

A 100-year-old French woman from northeast France is on a hunger strike to fight for her right to die, in the hope that her actions may also help others to “die with dignity”.

‘France legalises Covid-19 euthanasia’ rumour debunked

Rumours that the French government had issued a decree allowing doctors to euthanise elderly Covid-19 patients using a powerful sedative are false, medical experts have confirmed.

French post staff will check on relatives - for free

Anyone who would like their French postman/woman to check up on their well-being during the Covid-19 confinement period can now ask for this service free of charge.

New report: Life expectancy growing in France

Life expectancy in France is growing but “traditional” nuclear families are becoming less common, according to a new report by national statistics bureau Insee.

French nun refused retirement home space due to habit

A Catholic nun in France has been stopped from taking up her place in a retirement home after she refused to stop wearing her religious habit as a condition for living there.

Fostering alternative to care homes for elderly

Fostering costs 30% less on average than a retirement home

French elderly care home residents surf in Channel

An elderly care home in Brittany is encouraging residents to remain active in old age, by offering “surf therapy” lessons in the waves of the English Channel.

French rail firm SNCF criticised for platform policy

French rail firm SNCF has been criticised after users condemned its new policy of allowing only ticket holders to access platforms, meaning friends and family can no longer help passengers.

Elderly man finds 'mystery woman' from Paris bus

An 86-year-old man who met a mystery elderly woman on a Paris bus, but “fell under her charm” and forgot to ask for her details, has successfully found her again.

France prepares as new heatwave alert hits

Towns and cities across France have enacted strict measures in preparation for this week’s heatwave, as forecaster Météo France places 59 departments on orange alert for today (Tuesday July 23).

Theft in home scams by fake police on rise in France

THEFT scams by criminals posing as police officers and plumbers are on the rise in France, police have warned, with elderly people especially at risk.

France rules out health checks on older drivers

Drivers over the age of 75 in France will not be required to have a medical exam in order to keep their driver’s licence, in contrast to some other Europe countries, it has been confirmed.

Heatwave advice: France reacts to 45°C red alert

Four departments are on red heatwave alert in France today (June 28) for the first time ever, with up to 45°C expected - as heat records are broken, schools close, and travel is postponed due to heat.

Posties will keep an eye on older people

Families can be reassured their elderly parents are in good health with a new service from La Poste where staff will call in regularly for a chat to check that everything is well.

French woman denied vote because she ‘was dead’

A French woman from the Lot-et-Garonne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) who tried to vote in person in the recent European elections was told she could not do so, because records showed she had died.

Helping all to feel included

New English-speaking members are being welcomed by an association that helps lonely elderly people and works to improve the environment.

'Forgotten' French retirees march for buying power

Thousands of retired people in France have marched in Paris to call for government measures to boost their buying power, claiming they have been “forgotten” despite their living costs “continuing to rise”.

Father calls again for older driver medicals

An angry father has demanded a government rethink on medical tests for older drivers after his daughter lost a leg in an accident with a 92-year-old.

Six accused of tricking elderly victims in jewel theft

Six people have been questioned as part of an enquiry into over fifty thefts of jewellery, by "gang members" disguised as utilities workers, who tricked elderly victims into handing over their belongings.

Price warning for elderly

Résidence services pour seniors can be cheaper

Free Paris transport pass for over-65s

Change planned to be implemented in the summer

Widow’s bid for older drivers to sit medical

Checks for older drivers should be more rigorous

‘Blue Week’ aims to reduce loneliness among elderly

The annual “Blue Week” (“ Semaine Bleue ”), taking place this week, includes seven days of activities aiming to raise awareness of the isolation suffered by many elderly people in France.

Insurance-linked ‘sales’ can revive viager

Win-win property sale gives a result for property owner and buyer