Following the drop in the number of cases of Covid-19 in France, the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SFGG) wishes to “alert on the restrictive restrictive measures which are still too often rife in nursing homes”.
- The number of patients in intensive care due to Covid-19 has fallen below 1,000 in France, a first since the end of July 2021.
- Since March 2020, 148,230 people have died from Covid-19.
While data from Public Health France indicate a decrease in the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 for the sixth consecutive week, as well as an improvement in epidemiological indicators, incidence and positivity rates in all age groups , the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SFGG) wishes “Warn about the limiting restriction measures that are still too often rife in nursing homes”.
Unjustified deprivation of social life
“We observe in still too many medico-social establishments that the barrier measures put in place during the Covid-19 epidemic have still not been lifted, leading to unjustified deprivations of social life”explains Professor Nathalie Salles, President of the SFGG.
Geriatricians develop: “Certainly, EHPADs welcome increasingly elderly and increasingly dependent people, forcing them to strengthen their care offers. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that the EHPAD is not a hospital but a place to live. and humanity where people like to meet? That sharing time with the people who matter is essential? That touching, seeing, hugging is absolutely fundamental for every human being?”
Update
The latest recommendations issued for establishments and services welcoming the elderly and people with disabilities by the Ministry of Solidarity and Health date from April 6, 2022. Thus, the SFGG requests their update: “In particular, it is a question of no longer requiring the wearing of a mask in establishments and medico-social services welcoming the elderly (except at the time of treatment), of stopping systematic checks and screenings and of making tours and entertainment.
Several surveys, in particular the ENCOPAD-IPCE study conducted in 2020 by Pr Sylvie Bonin-Guillaume, geriatrician at the Marseille University Hospital and Dr Anne-Julie Vaillant-Ciszewicz, psychologist, have highlighted an increase in sadness, concern and signs of anorexia among residents since the start of the health crisis.
