For seniors who can no longer live independently at home, a foster family offers a welcoming alternative to traditional care homes like EHPADs. Approved family carers host one or more seniors (or couples) in their home temporarily or long-term, providing personalized support while receiving fair compensation for their services.
To host seniors as a foster family, you must meet strict criteria, including obtaining authorization from your local departmental services. Hosted seniors must be unrelated to the carer and retain sufficient autonomy, without needing constant medical care.
Approval, valid for 5 renewable years, is issued by departmental services after rigorous evaluation. Hosting includes a trial period and at least 2 months' notice for termination.
Housing must be safe, decent, and equipped for seniors' well-being: structurally sound, adequately sized, healthy, and with essential amenities.
Specifically, provide a private room of at least 9 m2 for one senior or over 16 m2 for a couple, with direct outdoor access and proximity to a bathroom and toilet.
Carers commit to 24/7 availability, including backup plans for absences like holidays, and unrestricted access for social and medical monitoring.
Initial training, ongoing education, and first-aid certification are mandatory.
Upon arrival, seniors and carers sign a contract per the Code of Social Action and Families, detailing accommodations, support, finances, and rights. It includes the hosted person's charter of rights and freedoms.
Covered elements: stay duration and termination, carer's duties and rights, compensation, paid leave, and mutual insurance requirements.
Departmental authorities, led by the council president, conduct regular checks to ensure compliance. Non-compliance triggers a 3-month formal notice via registered mail to rectify issues and retain approval.
This professional role pays for housing, meals, personal care, cleaning, errands, and activities.
The senior acts as employer, paying monthly: €25.38 gross/day for services, 10% paid leave allowance, €7.30–€18.25 maintenance allowance (per conditions), and €3.76–€14.82 for high-dependency needs.
Social contributions apply. Simplify with CESU: it handles declarations, calculations, deductions, and direct salary payments.
