Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 days ago
Home care worker in France warns of staffing pressures as older population grows
Sylvette Taragnat, a 46-year-old home care worker, has supported older people in the Puy-de-Dôme region of central France for 21 years.
Her work includes helping people with tasks they can no longer manage alone and offering companionship.
One of her clients is Maxime Vincent, a 95-year-old retired teacher.
France is expected to have nearly 23 million people aged over 60 in 25 years, about five million more than in the early 2020s.
The care sector already faces staff shortages, difficult working hours and concerns that workers are not paid enough for their work.
In rural areas, workers also depend on cars to travel between clients, adding to their costs.
Taragnat fears recruitment will become impossible without substantial public support, leaving older people without care.
Sylvette Taragnat, a home care worker in France’s Puy-de-Dôme region, warns that staffing shortages could worsen as the older population grows.
She says recruitment is difficult because of demanding hours and a lack of recognition, and worries that care services may be unable to hire enough workers.
France is expected to have nearly 23 million people aged over 60 in 25 years, five million more than in the early 2020s.
Taragnat, who has worked in care for 21 years, says her role is to help older people and accompany them with dignity.
- Who
- Sylvette Taragnat, a home care worker in Puy-de-Dôme, and the older people she supports.
- What
- Taragnat warns that staffing shortages and recruitment difficulties may leave older people without enough care.
- When
- The report was published on 10 October 2026. The population projection refers to 25 years from the report.
- Where
- Puy-de-Dôme, France.
- Why
- The sector faces recruitment difficulties, demanding working hours and a lack of recognition; Taragnat says significant public support is needed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Taragnat visits 95-year-old retired teacher Maxime Vincent as part of her care work.
Nearly 23 million people in France are expected to be over 60, five million more than in the early 2020s.
- Age
- Sylvette Taragnat is 46.
- Experience
- She has worked in care in Puy-de-Dôme for 21 years.
- Population projection
- Nearly 23 million people in France will be over 60 in 25 years.
- Increase
- The projected number is five million higher than in the early 2020s.
- Travel cost
- Taragnat says petrol costs about 2.13 euros per litre.
What people are saying
I try to accompany them always with dignity.
There will come a time when we will no longer be able to recruit. I’m afraid we’re heading for a crash.
What are we going to do with all these people? If nobody is there to care for them, what do we do with them?
Sources
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