Long-term care units (USLD) are specialized hospital-based facilities for highly dependent seniors needing daily medical oversight. Offering more advanced care than typical nursing homes (EHPAD), USLDs are usually part of public or private hospitals, ensuring round-the-clock professional support.
USLDs serve individuals over 60 with severe loss of autonomy requiring constant medical care. Classified as hospital units, they typically hold around 30 beds—once known as "hospices."
Residents often transition from hospitalization or post-acute rehabilitation (SSR). Even home-dwelling seniors with acute needs can enter directly, but admission requires a doctor's prescription and medical records.
Attached to hospitals, USLDs provide continuous medical supervision for their vulnerable residents.
Beyond housing, meals, and activities, they deliver specialized care: on-site health professionals for nursing, hygiene, and daily living assistance—essential for mostly bedridden patients.
USLD stay costs mirror those in EHPADs, covering lodging (room, meals, laundry, communal activities) and personal aid (bathing, mobility help).
Residents pay a "dependency" daily fee set annually by the local departmental council, based on average GIR dependency levels (higher for GIR 1-2). Those earning under €2,479 monthly pay a reduced rate matching lower dependency.
Crucially, medical treatments are fully covered by health insurance—no charge to residents.
Highly dependent seniors in USLDs can access key aids to offset costs.
For those 65+ (or 60+ if unfit for work) with resources below accommodation costs, ASH covers all or part—if the USLD is authorized. Apply via your local CCAS or town hall.
Personalized housing allowance (APL) or social housing allowance (ALS) supports seniors making the USLD their primary home for 8+ months yearly, subject to facility approval and means-tested calculation based on income, rent, and location.
Request from CAF or MSA (for agricultural retirees).
APA helps cover the GIR-based dependency fee—no means test. Paid directly to residents if the USLD receives a global council allocation; otherwise, apply to the departmental council.
