Lifestyle Shapes Retirement Home Entry

In France, the likelihood of entering a retirement home after age 75 is significantly influenced by lifestyle choices made between the ages of 50 and 70. Studies show that people who maintain active and healthy habits during this period are less likely to require institutional care later in life.

Dependency in Retirement Homes

According to the DREES, after the age of 75, one in twelve people lives in an institution, with 86 percent of residents being dependent on care. In contrast, only 13 percent of people of the same age who remain at home are dependent, highlighting the significant difference in care needs between those living at home and those in institutions.

Age and Dependency Levels

The median age for entry into an EHPAD, a type of French retirement home, is 88 years and 8 months. More than half of the residents are classified in GIR 1–2, the most severe level of dependency, indicating that many residents enter these facilities with significant physical and cognitive limitations.

Lifestyle as a Determining Factor

Recent studies, including one summarized by the German newspaper Welt, suggest that lifestyle choices between the ages of 50 and 70 play a crucial role in whether someone ends up in a retirement home. An Australian study published in 2023 in the journal J Epidemiol Community Health supports this, emphasizing that delaying the loss of autonomy is as important as living longer.

Physical Changes and Lifestyle Habits

Between the ages of 50 and 70, the body naturally begins to lose muscle mass and balance, while habits solidify. This period often coincides with retirement, widowhood, or social isolation, which can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle. These changes can make daily activities more challenging over time.

Long-Term Impact of Small Choices

Even small lifestyle changes, such as reduced physical activity, increased sitting time, poor sleep, and weight gain, can accumulate over ten or fifteen years. These gradual declines may significantly impact a person's ability to live independently later in life.