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Expat living in France caring for DH know nothing of French system

Ria
Ria Member Posts: 1 Member
in Caring For a Spouse or Partner
Im 67 my husband of 39 years is 79. We have only lived in France for 3 years come December. My husband is awaiting scan and the start of the formal process. I wondered if anyone here is in France and can tell me what the care/support/system is like over here for dementia patients please.
I’m a Doctor (now recently retired), however I was always military (front line trauma) so unfamiliar with protocol for civilian diseases/disorders (things like Alzheimer’s/dementia).
We have no family over here, and my every day French is reasonable but I’m having to up my game to deal with Drs/lawyers etc
I took compassionate leave and cared for my late MiL 24/7 at home for the final few months of her life (she had advanced Alzheimer’s and bowel cancer), but that was in U.K. and was about 15yrs ago.
TBH I’m feeling a bit out on a limb here in France, and would love to hear from anyone else here please in France who maybe is now more familiar with what to expect and what is required. We are in SW France (Vienne 86).
Thank you

Comments

  • Belle
    Belle Member Posts: 138
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    Member

    I don't live in France but have looked into moving there at some point in the future. Not sure if I'm allowed to mention other sites but you may want to take a peek at Expat forum or one of the French expat groups on something like Facebook. I recall seeing something in one of those groups about what type of care is available (assuming you have your Carte Vitale) for someone with dementia but I can't remember the specifics. Hopefully another member will respond to this thread with more information.

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 5,631
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    Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here but pleased you found this place.

    There was a poster, @French here previously, who lived in France and care for her DH with EO Alzheimer's.
    Below is a link to her profile. If you poke around her posts, you might get some ideas of next steps

    French — ALZConnected

    HB

  • Quilting brings calm
    Quilting brings calm Member Posts: 2,901
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    Member

    I believe @French placed her husband in a facility in different country for a while ( Tunisia maybe?). That surprised me but I think it was the best compromise she could come up with at the time).

  • Iris L.
    Iris L. Member Posts: 4,903
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    There is a group Alzheimer's International (alzint.org) which may direct you to local resources in France. They are based in the UK.

    I suggest you continue to post here on this site because this is your best area for answers. Also, you may be able to call the Alzheimer's Association here for advice.

    Several PWD on the "I Have Alzheimer's" board have begun Leqembi and apparently are having good results. You might want to review those threads if your DH is in the early stages.

    PS: I was also a USAF physician.

    Iris

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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