Again the only official program is the PAGSI but on the other hand, that effort is universal and strong and has already produced a formidable revolution in the accessibility to government offices and other public authorities via Internet. All official information is now readily available for consulting, and a lot of public services can be sought and executed via the Net. This includes information on and direction towards getting the support needed for older and handicapped persons.
The social security system in France is very fragmented and divided on a great number of different programs, agencies and funds. Much is there, but scattered. Still however, e.g. the new law called APA is one step to gather legislation before fragmented into on comprehensive set of laws.
ICT is absent in the programs, which concern themselves rather with relieving the burden for family members of everyday care of an older or handicapped person or adapting the living quarters of these persons.
Concerning alarm services there is financial aid procured by public authorities as well as the retirement funds (assembled under CNAV, Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Vieillesse), but this support is as a rule paid out to associations and public authorities, never on an individual basis. The associations are then free to offer free or low-cost alarms to persons needing it.
The picture in France is very fragmented. While conditions for receiving financial support or aid to get domestic help or adapting the living quarters are defined, there is no specific mention of ICT in official programs or laws. This hampers also the spread of alarm systems and other telematic services. Yet present in the country, they are fairly poorly developed. E.g. today alarm systems are used by only 200.000 persons in France - a number equal to Sweden, while population of France is more than six times that of Sweden.
Financial provisions for ICT in the context of home care is only indirectly. Operators of alarm systems e.g. may be eligible for financial support from official sources and retirement funds. Similarly, to ensure as much as possible of an independent life at home, handicapped persons may be procured with technical aids. Still, this is generally paid for by the care receiver if he or she has proper economic means. Help programs, like AGEFIPH, will intervene only in the work-place. It is rather up to private organisations to give subsidies on services rendered.
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