Insee Focus · December 2023 · n° 314

More loss of autonomy among the elderly living in their own home in the poorest départements

By 2021, in France, 7% of people aged 60 or over living in their own home were affected by loss of autonomy. This rate exceeded 9%  in 16 départements (a mid-level french administrative unit). Almost all of these were areas where poverty was stronger than elsewhere and residential care capacity was limited.

Loss of autonomy among the elderly living at home were slightly more present in urban communes: older people were poorer in these areas and a bit older than in rural communes. Furthermore, easier access to care and support in urban communes could make it easier to remain at home.