Free forum for elderly and caregivers

On November 3, the Palais des congrès in Versailles will host a free forum dedicated to elderly individuals and their caregivers. Forty-five information stands will allow discussions on housing, retirement, home care, and legal protection in one location. Entry will be free.

Institutional and professional collaboration

This first edition will bring together institutional, associative, and professional actors from the territory. The gerontological pole Lépine Versailles announces the presence of 40 partners. The practical objective is to connect visitors with structures that can guide them, whether they are seeking solutions for themselves or accompanying an aging parent.

Event structure and themes

The event is organized around six main areas: caregivers, housing, home care, prevention, as well as culture and leisure, retirement, and financial and legal assistance, and finally end-of-life support. This breakdown is included in the detailed program published by the City of Versailles.

Practical assistance for attendees

For an elderly person wishing to continue living at home, discussions can focus on available services and contacts. For a caregiver, the forum will allow identifying support and information resources. Financial and legal questions have a specific space to distinguish retirement-related procedures from those concerning the protection of a vulnerable person.

Expanding local community services

These exchanges extend the usual missions of the local community action center. The CCAS of Versailles offers, for example, guidance in social procedures, meal delivery, teleassistance, and support for elderly or disabled individuals who have lost their autonomy. The forum provides an opportunity to meet various interveners, while these services remain accessible outside of the event day.

Scheduled conference sessions

Four conference sessions will punctuate the Tuesday. From 11 am to 12:30 pm, sociologist Thierry Calvat will speak on the role and contribution of caregivers. From 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, the ADAL association will host a session on the importance of self-care. The Yvelines caregiver guide will also be presented by Estelle Rames Arenou, project manager at Centr’aider.

Legal and medical information sessions

From 3 pm to 3:45 pm, the Departmental Union of Family Associations of the Yvelines (UDAF 78) will present legal protection measures. This session is particularly relevant for families who need to understand existing devices before initiating a procedure. From 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm, physician Claude Grange will discuss palliative care.

Additional resources and accessibility

The program also includes the presentation of the ICOPE prevention application, presented by the Grand Versailles territorial health professional community, as well as the InnoDom leisure platform from the AutonomY agency. A virtual reality booth, VirtySens, aimed at well-being and stress reduction, will also be available; the City indicates that it is accessible to people in wheelchairs.

Event location and details

The forum will take place at the Palais des congrès, 10, rue de la Chancellerie, near the castle. Doors will open from 10 am to 6 pm, without admission fees. The full program and visitor documents are available on the City's website. Among them are the Yvelines seniors guide and the Centr’aider caregiver guide, two resources that families can also consult after November 3.