To counter isolation, for home services, home improvement, services in the event of loss of independence, return from hospital, moving into an institution, financial aid, etc. Nantes Entour'Age provides detailed information on all the services available in Nantes:

• Phone numbers of the home help services and details on their workings
• Existing home improvement programmes
• Services to assist home carers
• Financial aid to keep people in their own homes
• Phone numbers of the various professionals providing services to the elderly

Most elderly people wish to carry on living in their own homes. Consequently, in partnership with home support professionals, the municipality has set up a variety of solutions:

• the Logements Bleus initiative: dedicated social housing for persons over the age of 65, offered in partnership with Nantes Habitat since 2009; in 2010, 150 flats were granted the Logements Bleus label, i.e. a 25% rise.
• meals-on-wheels: this service is offered to the elderly and/or handicapped persons who are unable to prepare their own meals or go out shopping. The meals (two menus to choose from) are delivered four times a week and are ready to eat. The cost varies according to each person's income. In 2010, the number of persons (436) who benefitted from this service was up 5.8%,
• telephone assistance: the Conseil Général has set up a home safety and emergency call system. The calls are transmitted to an assistance platform handling all requests 24/7, from simple listening to the sending of emergency assistance. In 2010, 2,094 people benefitted from this service versus 1,959 in 2009 (+6.8%). The CCAS is involved in this process by tending to the requestors' needs in their own homes.

In September 2010, the Résidence de la Haute-Mitrie opened a day-care centre. Every day, it can receive up to 10 elderly persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease or similar ailments. The activities offered are aimed at stimulating their physical and mental capacities and get them out of their isolation.

This centre is also a place where families can voice their concerns and exchange views. It provides much needed help to keep sufferers in their own homes.

The family is the primary source of support for the elderly. Consequently, the family also needs help, to be able to perform its role more efficiently.

It was in that spirit that "La Maison des Aidants" opened its doors in 2009, to support the families of those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or similar ailments. In 2010, it organised a week's stay for home carers and sufferers and a theatrical debate on Alzheimer's disease, on the 1st Journée Nationale des Aidants (national day dedicated to home carers).

Moreover, it has initiated work with the major gerontology players through the creation of various bodies: a partner follow-up committee, scientific council, working groups with the Local Information and Communication Centres (CLIC) and day-care centres.

In 2010, the three meetings entitled "Bien vieillir dans son quartier" (Ageing well in your own neighbourhood) were major events in the districts of Pin Sec, La Boissière and Breil-Malville. Depending on the districts, 120 to 150 people aged over 75 were invited (some thirty were present at each of the meetings). The meetings made it possible to present the range of home services available through videos. Beneficiaries gave testimonials and some non-profit organisations presented their activities. As well as providing information, the meetings allowed interchange between elderly people, doctors, nurses and local organisations. A convivial way of providing information and creating connections!

In addition to providing information, festive events brought people together in the districts: 827 people took part in the spring meal (11 dates) and 916 people attended the Christmas meal (12 dates), i.e. an average of 75 people on each date.

The priority of the CCAS is now to provide accommodation for frail elderly persons (financially, socially or mentally impaired). The gateway between the City's Foyers Logements (sheltered housing) and its EHPADs (institutional homes for dependent elderly people) continued to progress since 70% of the residents referred to an EHPAD by the Foyers Logements were admitted. In 2010, a total of 47 new residents were granted accommodation in a Foyer-Logement, joining the 305 persons already living there.

With a capacity to accommodate 458 elderly persons, institutional homes for dependent elderly people (EHPADs) saw numerous improvements in 2010: opening of EHPADs in Pirmil and Fonteny with a respective capacity to accommodate 80 and 57 elderly persons; launch of studies for the extension/rehabilitation of the Fonteny EHPAD (which will be able to accommodate 80 residents, instead of 57 today); launch of the call for tenders for the construction of a new EHPAD in the Nantes-Sud district to replace the current premises of the Pirmil EHPAD, opening of a day-care centre for Alzheimer's sufferers within the Haute Mitrie EHPAD in September 2010.

Considerable progress was made on the quality of the accommodation offered by the Foyers Logements with the rehabilitation of 2 of their 6 buildings (Sylvain Royé and Croissant). Work is currently underway at the Foyer Logement of Port-Boyer and is due to be completed in the second half of 2011. A rehabilitation programme is currently under study for the 3 remaining establishments and has been programmed by the lessor Nantes Habitat.

Concerning EHPADs, the commitment to a quality approach centred on promoting good treatment has contributed to the general improvement of services: deployment of the care software, improvement of transfers, launch of work to embellish the premises, recruitment of recognised professionals (psychologist, psychomotor specialist, dietician, etc.), as well as the set up of an action plan concerning meals.

• in 2010, 4,627 elderly people benefitted from the services offered by Nantes Entour'Age; 219 home carers were welcomed at the Maison des Aidants
• in 2010, 36 pensioner organisations received a grant from the City.
• 167,364 meals were produced by the culinary production unit (central kitchen) mainly for the EHPADs of Pirmil and Fonteny, restaurants catering for the elderly and the Pierre Landais social restaurant.
• the number of meals served in the 6 restaurants for the elderly increased by 12% since 2009, totalling 40,206 meals served (versus 36,028 in 2009). A total of 1,414 elderly people took part in the activities offered by 36 local organisations.
• 214 social aid applications were filed (accommodation, home help and meals).
• 1 new person hired on a mission to combat isolation
• 27 workshops and 9 task forces created with the District Councils