Petits Frères des pauvres combats elderly isolation

The association Petits Frères des pauvres is mobilizing to combat social isolation among elderly individuals, particularly during the summer months when heatwaves and the absence of family members increase vulnerability.

A recent barometer from the organization indicates that approximately 750,000 seniors are in a state of ‘social death,’ a figure representing a 150% increase in seniors lacking connections to family, friends, or neighbors over the last decade. The impact of extreme weather is also significant; provisional data from Santé publique France noted nearly 6,000 excess deaths during a June heatwave, with individuals aged 75 and older accounting for 3,719 of those fatalities.

To address these challenges, the association provides various forms of support, including volunteer home visits to monitor hydration and distribute cooling equipment. In western France, the organization also organizes holiday stays at locations such as Le Prieuré in Vertou and Ker Peheff in Damgan for low-income seniors to foster social connections. Additionally, the ‘cartes du cœur’ initiative encourages the public to send postcards to isolated seniors to provide companionship.