“I gave up a managerial position and having children”

© Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty_Images

– The first associations dedicated to caregivers were created in France in the 2010s, fifty years after those in Great Britain.

Between 8 and 11 million French people could be affected, and by 2030, the role of caregiver could affect 1 in 4 citizens, all ages combined. This is what reveals a study by the OCIRP Caring Employees Observatory, published this Thursday, October 3, which includes public sector agents for the first time. “When I wrote my thesis on the subject of caregivers in 2016, the term was not known at all. We were never even told about it during our medical studies.», says Hélène Rossinot, doctor specializing in public health and expert on the issue of caregivers.

If rare observers now focus on this status of caregiver and a national day was dedicated to it on October 6, “we are still very far from taking into account and truly recognizing caregivers in France», notes Hélène Rossinot. While his second book, Caregiver guidewill be released Thursday October 10, the expert admits having never met anyone who has obtained state aid (see box below). However, these family pillars, who assist their sick or disabled parents, children and spouses on a daily basis, really need support.

The burden of caregivers weighs heavily on their personal, family and professional lives, revealing a striking inequality between the sexes. According to the National Union of Family Associations (Unaf), 60% of caregivers are women, and the more difficult the tasks, the more they take on this responsibility. A reality embodied by Louisa, 44, who represents the archetype of the caregiver.

“I no longer know what it means to have a weekend or go on vacation”

It is with a voice still trembling with anguish that Louisa tells us about her daily life as a caregiver. The day before, his father, suffering from Alzheimer’s, spent the night outside, unable to find his way home. A “new sword of Damocles» which adds to the long list of concerns of this forty-year-old, community manager at the CFDT. For six years, she has been juggling her work and her parents, both diabetics.

Every week, Louisa goes to her parents’ house on the weekend, more than an hour’s drive from home. Once she arrives, she goes through shopping, medication, mail, changing sheets… In addition to household chores, there are at least numerous medical appointments. “one per week”. In total, she devotes on average between 10 and 15 hours per week to them. For some caregivers, this assistance can increase to 35 hours, the equivalent of a second week of full-time work. “I no longer know what it’s like to have a whole weekend or to go on vacation”she confides.

The economic, but above all professional, cost of assistance

Fortunately, Louisa was able to count on the understanding and flexibility of her managers, which was not always the case. Among all caregivers in France, 61% are employed, and 44% of them are afraid of losing their job if they speak to their supervisor. Louisa is also convinced of this: “My status as a caregiver played a major role in my previous job and partly explains my dismissal.”

Being a caregiver also has a financial cost. Around 50% of caregivers contribute to financially supporting the person being cared for, while 9 out of 10 caregivers receive no financial compensation for their commitment, says the Women’s Foundation. “Each medical appointment required a VTC, or on average 160 euros per month. I also paid small bills at the pharmacy. Vacations are a hidden cost: every year, I accompany my parents to help them, which is more like a family trip than a vacation.recognizes Louisa.

Because of this double life, Louisa has given up on many aspects of her life, putting her career development and her love life on hold: “I had to decline a manager offer, I would not have been able to manage these new responsibilities and the additional time they would have required…” A decision which also deprives her of a salary increase. But the impact of assistance can go even further, and thwart life plans. “I put my desire for children aside, largely in relation to that. And I know that a certain number of caregivers give up on a second child for this reason.admet Louisa.