Disability, loss of independence: what measures are available to support carers?

Caregivers accompany a person in their circle because of their state of health, disability or age; they are not professional caregivers or volunteers present through an association alongside the person being helped. These may include:

• the spouse;
• the partner with whom the assisted person has entered into a civil solidarity pact (CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS), or his or her partner;
• a parent;
• a person residing with the person being assisted or having close and stable ties with him or her, such as a neighbor or friend.

As part of the national awareness campaign on the role of carers, conducted from September 22 to October 20, 2024, the digital space aide.gouv.fr is highlighted, including a list of the different devices that you can use as a caregiver, depending on your profile:

• young caregiver;
• parent of a sick or disabled child;
• close to a dependent elderly person;
• assisting in active employment;
• retired caregiver.

Among the devices that are presented within the space aide.gouv.fr:

• the daily caregiving allowance (AJPA), a replacement income for carers of persons with disabilities or loss of autonomy who are forced to reduce or temporarily cease their professional activity;
• Custom Autonomy Allowance (APA), conditional financial assistance to a person over 60 years of age who is losing independence, which may be used, inter alia, to pay a (non-spouse) caregiver and to help finance the respite needs of that caregiver;
• a list of training courses carers of elderly people who are losing their independence;
• dedicated crisis lines with people trained to listen to you and support you psychologically in your role as caregivers;
• a list of events dedicated to caregivers (conferences, training courses, support groups...) that may interest you, listed according to your location;
• the respite solutions guide to better identify and understand the different types of offers that exist in this area;
• possible study design for students accompanying a loved one.