Summary
If you can no longer live alone and home help is no longer sufficient, you may consider moving into a nursing home (NH) or a residential care home (RCH).
These homes offer:
- secure and stable living environments;
- assistance adapted to the needs of older people.
Nursing homes (NH)
Nursing homes provide permanent accommodation for elderly people aged 70 or over, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Residential care homes (RCH)
Residential care homes provide permanent care for people:
- aged 70 years or over, unless exceptional circumstances apply;
- who are highly dependent.
Dependency is most often linked to:
- a long-term illness;
- a significant loss of autonomy.
Unlike hospitalisation, residents of a residential care home:
- do not require daily medical monitoring;
- do not receive ongoing specialised medical treatment.
However, their health condition requires:
- the availability of a general practitioner;
- nursing, paramedical and/or physiotherapeutic care;
- assistance with the activities of daily life.
Some residential care homes also have a specialised unit or day centre for elderly people with cognitive disorders (dementia or Alzheimer's disease). These people receive specific and adapted support to maintain their current capacities.
The role of the AVIQ
The AVIQ ensures the quality of life of older people living in approved establishments.
In particular, it acts through:
- applying standards;
- the administrative monitoring of establishments;
- managing authorisations, exemptions and subsidies;
- providing information and support for operators;
- participating in financing the infrastructure.
Key points
Residents pay to live in a nursing home or a residential care home.
The price varies according to:
- the home; and
- the services and care offered.
In detail
People aged 70 and over who are highly dependent due to a long-term illness or loss of autonomy.
Exceptions exist in exceptional situations.
- be 70 years old or older, unless exceptional circumstances apply;
- have a loss of autonomy or significant dependency;
- meet the admission criteria of the chosen home;
- benefit from adapted accommodation;
- receive help with the activities of daily life;
- obtain nursing and paramedical care;
- participate in activities and entertainment.
If you wish to live in a nursing home or a residential care home:
- contact the home of your choice directly;
- find out more about the admission conditions and availability.
Residents pay to live in a nursing home or a residential care home.
The amounts vary according to the:
- home;
- services proposed;
- care provided to the resident.
The time limits for admission vary according to the:
- home;
- available places.