It’s estimated there are around 11 million unpaid carers in France.

Taking care of someone you love, whether it’s your child, partner, parent, relative, or friend means helping them with everyday tasks like cooking, bathing, dressing, taking medication, getting to appointments, cleaning, shopping, and more.

People usually step into this role for lots of reasons, like:

• The person has a medical condition
• They live with a disability
• They’re getting older
• They’re dealing with mental health struggles
  

Everyone’s situation is unique, but most people become carers out of love, care, and a sense of responsibility. It’s not always easy, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

Some carers are there round the clock, while others pitch in on specific days or for a few hours. Plenty of carers also juggle work - casual, part-time, or full-time - on top of their caregiving duties.

This article is about what it can be like to care for someone you love. We’ll cover the support out there, some need-to-know info, and how to handle the emotional ups and downs. If you’re already a carer or just starting out, we’re here to help!

Where to start as a carer for a loved one

So, you’ve decided to step up and care for a family member or friend, what’s next? The good news is, there’s support out there for carers like you! Depending on your loved one’s situation, you can tap into help from government programs, non-profits, and local community groups. You’re not in this alone.

In France, unpaid carers are those who look after family or friends without formal pay and have access to several financial support options to help ease their responsibilities:

1. Daily Caregiver Allowance  (Allocation Journalière du Proche Aidant - AJPA):

• Purpose: Compensates for income lost when carers take leave from work to provide care.
• Eligibility: Available to employees, self-employed individuals, and jobseekers who need to reduce or pause their professional activities to care for a close relative with a significant disability or loss of autonomy.
• Details: As of January 1, 2022, the allowance is 58.59 € per day and 29.30 € per half-day, with a maximum of 66 days payable over the carer's career.

2. Personalised Autonomy Allowance (Allocation Personnalisée d’Autonomie - APA):

• Purpose: Assists elderly individuals with reduced independence by funding services to help them remain at home or in care facilities.
• Benefit to Carers: While APA is granted to the person being cared for, it can indirectly support carers by covering costs associated with professional assistance or compensating family members (excluding spouses) who provide care.
  

3. Disability Compensation Benefit (Prestation de Compensation du Handicap - PCH):

• Purpose: Provides financial aid to individuals with disabilities to cover expenses related to their condition.
  Benefit to Carers: Similar to APA, PCH can be used to remunerate family members (excluding spouses) acting as carers, offering indirect financial support.

4. Old-Age Insurance for Family Carers (Assurance Vieillesse des Parents au Foyer - AVPF):

• Purpose: Ensures that carers who have reduced or ceased professional activity to provide care continue to accrue pension rights.
• Eligibility: Carers who look after a child or an adult with a disability at home may benefit, subject to certain conditions.

It's important to note that eligibility criteria and benefit amounts can change, so carers should consult official sources or local authorities for the most current information.

Legal and financial factors

In France, being a carer might mean taking on legal and financial things for your loved one. This could include setting up things like tutelle (guardianship) or curatelle (assisted decision-making), helping manage their money, or making decisions about their healthcare. You might also need to think about important documents like a will or advance directives (directives anticipées) for their medical care.

It’s worth chatting with a lawyer or getting some advice to make sure you’re doing everything right and following the rules. Notaries, social services, or legal aid groups can point you in the right direction and make the whole process less overwhelming.

Emotional support for carers

Taking care of a family member can be tough on your emotions and mental health. It’s totally normal to feel frustrated, exhausted, or even guilty sometimes, but don’t beat yourself up over it. You’re not alone.

In fact, 71% of carers report struggling with their physical or mental health.

That’s why it’s so important to look after yourself too. It’s easy to put your own needs on the back burner, but you can’t pour from an empty cup! Taking a little time to focus on your well-being can make a big difference.

Here are some simple things you can try:

Move your body

Whether it’s a walk, some gardening, or a little dance in your kitchen, getting active is a huge mood booster. Bonus points if you get outside—nature is great for clearing your head.

Get enough sleep

Aim for 8–9 hours a night. Sleep helps you handle stress and keeps you feeling more positive overall.

Eat well

A diet full of whole, nutrient-rich foods can do wonders for managing stress and keeping your energy up.

Make time for you

Even a small treat, like grabbing a coffee, reading, or listening to your favourite podcast, can help you recharge.

Stay connected

Chat with friends or join a support group when you can. Having a social network is proven to boost both mental and physical health.

Remember, there are some fantastic mental health services out there specifically for carers and their loved ones. Reaching out for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a step toward feeling your best.

You’re doing an amazing job, but don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way!

There are also some amazing mental health support services catered to carers and their loved ones.

• SOS Helpline: An English-speaking helpline offering emotional support daily from 3 PM to 11 PM. Call 01 46 21 46 46.
  
  
• SOS Amitié: Provides confidential support in French, available 24/7. Call 09 72 39 40 50.
  
  
• Suicide Écoute: A 24-hour suicide prevention helpline. Call 01 45 39 40 00.
  
  
• Fil Santé Jeunes: For young people aged 12 to 25, offering anonymous support daily from 9 AM to 11 PM. Call 0800 235 236.
  
  
• La Croix Rouge Écoute: Provides psychological support, anonymous and free, available daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. Call 0 800 858 858.

Remember, reaching out is a sign of strength, and these services are here to support you. You can also speak with your doctor about mental health support options.

For emergencies call 112.