As we know, the vast majority of French people want to live at home for as long as possible. And even if staying at home is sometimes difficult, there are solutions, as shown by the initiative developed by Agirc-Arrco.
© Photo Capital / Adeline Lorence
Just like home. An entrance, a living room, a dining room, a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. Everything looks like a classic home interior. But if you look more closely, you will find many innovations that make housing more secure for the elderly, vulnerable or those losing their autonomy. Welcome to the space ideas at homecreated by Agirc-Arrco, a supplementary pension scheme for private sector employees, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. This resource and innovation centre for healthy ageing offers in particular a show apartment with tips for easily adapting housing and arrangements to promote, for as long as possible, independent, secure and comfortable living at home.
The difference is felt as soon as you enter the accommodation. The floor is non-slip. “So, from the outset, we invite visitors to be vigilant about this question of the floor, we advise them for example to avoid carpets or to think about fixing them”explains Samira Sameur, who is responsible for this space. In the kitchen, some furniture has been raised to make it more easily accessible, especially for people in wheelchairs. The same concern is true in the living room, where the sofa has been raised.
Agirc-Arrco supplementary pension: are you familiar with this free service offered to those aged 75 and over?
No hospitable atmosphere
Then a quick tour of the bathroom where nothing has been forgotten to make life easier for the elderly or vulnerable: non-slip mats, seats built into a piece of furniture to be able to sit at the sink or even a tilting mirror. Whether it is furniture or aids such as grab bars, the entire environment of This apartment is colorful. “We want to show that staying at home is not the hospital at home”pleads Samira Sameur.
The idea behind this concept developed by Agirc-Arrco is to raise awareness about preventing fragility and to show that, with simple measures, we can: adapting your accommodation in the event of loss of autonomywithout spending a lot. The service offered by the supplementary pension scheme does not stop at this show apartment. In the same place, workshops and conferences are offered where you can meet occupational therapists, lawyers, etc. or take part in home improvement workshops, fully supported by Agirc-Arrco. If you do not live in Paris, don’t worry, you can also visit this show apartment virtually online and attend conferences also broadcast online.
The space is located at 12 rue Pirandello in Paris. For any visit or appointment, you can contact 01 43 95 79 78.
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