Other alternatives to a retirement home

Sheltered accommodation

Known as résidences autonomie in the public or not-for-profit sector or terms like résidences-services séniors in the private sector, sheltered accommodation is designed to be an interim step between a resident’s original home and a traditional retirement home. It may appeal to people, usually over 60, who are independent (level 5 or 6 dependency) and able-bodied but who no longer want or are able to live by themselves.

The accommodation usually takes the form of a studio or a one-bedroom flat which the occupant can furnish. A certain level of security is guaranteed.

Residents maintain their independence while having access to joint facilities and services which remain optional but are charged for, like a restaurant or canteen, services for cleaning and washing, medical assistance and entertainment.

In the private sector the accommodation can be of a very high standard and include the 24-hour presence of nursing staff. 

To find such accommodation in the public sector, which offers subsidised rents (potentially with added assistance from housing benefits) see the Annuaires on this site, then Je recherche par annuannuaire and then Résidences.

Habitats regroupés

Some towns have accommodation referred to as habitats regroupés, consisting of a small ensemble of grouped independent homes, planned to suit the needs of more independent older people. 

They may have a convenient town-centre location, adaptations for mobility problems, low rents and certain additional services such as delivery of meals. A local information point, such as the mairie, can tell you if there are any in your area.

Similar structures where older people may live mostly independently may also have names like petites unités de vie or Marpas (maison d’accueil rurale pour personnes âgées). 

The latter are in rural areas and house residents who live independently in small flats where living areas are communal. The advantage is that the residents remain in their community and retain independence even if they have some dependency needs.

Another similar set-up is the béguinage. These were historically used by religious communities but some historic ones have been opened for ordinary members of the public and some new ones have been built along similar lines. They consist of around 10-20 small individual houses grouped together in an ensemble.

Living with a host family

Another option is to live with a host family (famille d'accueil), generally a cheaper option than living in a retirement home.

These must have an accreditation and training from the departmental council, similar to families that foster children.

They may have one to three older people staying with them. 

The arrangement can be temporary, permanent, or part-time (eg. just in the daytime or just weekends). Meals are shared with the family. The council or a local information point can provide information about this. Beneficiaries can use benefits like APA, aide sociale or housing benefit to help pay the host family.

Sometimes such services or organised via an intermediary such as cettefamille.com, an entreprise sociale et solidaire (ESS), a kind of non-profit-making company in the caring sector.

'Intergenerational' living

Certain cities have schemes, often organised by associations, whereby older people can have a student live with them, for a modest rent, in return for the young person helping them with some of their daily needs. 

You can find out about such schemes from your local information point for elderly people.