The law proposal concerning “measures to build a society of aging well and autonomy” has finally reached the end of a long parliamentary process. During a final vote in the Senate, Parliament definitively adopted a law for “aging well” on Wednesday, March 27, without hiding its concerns about the future of the autonomy sector, which is still lacking a long-promised financial programming law for the elderly. Despite support from most members of the Senate, with abstentions from socialists and ecologists and opposition from communists, there are fears among parliamentarians that the government may not go further with this law, which is considered insufficient. It is seen as a temporary measure and there is impatience for a more comprehensive approach.
The challenge of the aging population calls for more ambitious legislative measures, including a multi-year programming law on aging. By 2030, individuals over 65 will outnumber those under 15. The minister in charge of the elderly, Fadila Khattabi, has assured senators that the adoption of this law is not the end of the matter and that discussions and necessary actions will be taken, possibly including a more comprehensive law. However, opposition parties find this response too vague, especially considering the government’s promise of a major law on autonomy dating back to the first term of Emmanuel Macron. Former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne had announced a law by summer 2024, but this commitment now seems uncertain due to budget constraints and increasing deficit.
One article of the aging well law requires the government to present a multi-year programming law every five years, with an initial draft required by December 31, 2024. However, the government has remained silent on the matter, prompting nine parliamentary group leaders to request a clear commitment and timeline regarding the submission and examination of a law on aging. The lack of a clear response has led to frustration among opposition lawmakers, with concerns about broken promises and lack of progress on the issue. The sector of autonomy will have to rely on the measures outlined in the current law proposal until further progress is made, such as the creation of a professional card to recognize the work of home caregivers and the safeguarding of visitation rights in nursing homes.
The law also includes the creation of a departmental autonomy service, a “one-stop shop” to streamline policies for the elderly and disabled individuals, as well as the establishment of a departmental reporting body for cases of abuse. Residents in nursing homes will now have the right to have their pets with them, provided they can meet the animals’ needs. Despite the progress made with this law, there are concerns about the government’s silence on the promise of a more comprehensive law on aging, and the uncertainty surrounding future actions to address the challenges of an aging population. The autonomy sector continues to face challenges and uncertainties in the absence of a clear roadmap for the future.
