Retirement homes are experiencing "
major
"
difficulties
in recruiting nursing assistants, which is particularly problematic when it comes to replacing employees who test positive for Covid, the main union of private establishments was alarmed on Wednesday.
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“
We have major tensions over the workforce.
We work region by region with the Pôles Emploi, we say 'join us!', But it's not easy,
”Florence Arnaiz-Maumé, Synerpa's general delegate, explained during a press point.
The problem is more acute in certain regions, for example in Occitania, "
where it is catastrophic
", according to her.
During confinement, the establishments were able to occasionally call on the "
health reserve
", made up of caregivers usually working in other sectors, but this solution is practically no longer available, pointed out Ms. Arnaiz-Maumé.
In addition, the first wave of the epidemic has exhausted the staff, some of whom "
are on sick leave
" or "
are demobilizing, wanting to change their lives and resign
".
Above all, many establishments have to deal with temporary understaffing when professionals, even asymptomatic, test positive for Covid-19 and must therefore be placed in isolation.
"
When we test all residents and all staff, sometimes five, six or seven employees must leave their post immediately and do not return to their post until seven days later,
" said Ms. Arnaiz-Maumé.
Faced with these recruitment difficulties, "
we do not have a magic wand
," lamented the general delegate of Synerpa.
Many caregivers - who take care of the toilet or help with meals for the elderly - have the experience that would allow them to become caregivers, but they must undergo a two-year training course, including for
learning
"
skills in the hospital that are not useful to our sector,
" she explained.
