Lyon decision-makers: "Henri de Rohan-Chabot, transforming pain into commitment".

Henri de Rohan-Chabot © DR

In 2006, the illness of his daughter Jeanne marked a turning point for Henri de Rohan-Chabot. Diagnosed with a brain tumor, he accompanied her for four years, until her death in 2010 at the age of 16. As Director of Communications at GL Events, he decided to step down:"For me, it was just impossible to continue with my previous professional life.

His family had to cope with the loss and bereavement of a child, but, driven by a spirit of resilience, he decided to get involved: "You want to find meaning in what you've been through. I don't know how to do anything big, but I do know how to carry out projects.So, in 2013, he set about creating France Répit, an association dedicated to the families and carers of sick people, who "also suffer quite serious consequences: physical and psychological exhaustion, loss of social life and economic difficulties".

His entrepreneurial flame, which had already led him to set up a communications company, Esprit Public, in 1992, was rekindled alongside caregivers and other families: "In France, we were lagging far behind on the subject of caregivers, it was a little-explored area. So we wanted to take up the cause in a way: to be their voice, to defend their rights, and to ensure that laws and public policies evolve to take better account of their needs,"explains Henri de Rohan-Chabot.

It was in a spirit of innovation that, in 2018, Henri de Rohan Chabot, in partnership with the OVE Foundation, inaugurated France's first Maison de répit in Tassin-la-Demi-Lune."Families who have a sick or disabled loved one at home can come for stays, either by entrusting their loved ones to us, enabling them to stay at home, or by coming with their loved ones for a family stay,"he explains.

With a staff of around thirty, the Maison de répit has everything it takes to care for patients and offer their carers, for up to 30 days a year, a place of relief through wellness and relaxation activities. This initiative has ambitions to expand, with a new home planned for 2026 in Boulogne-Billancourt.

France Répit does not limit itself to providing accommodation: the association is also involved in scientific research, "to better identify the problems of France's 9 million carers and measure the impact of our actions", and offers training courses to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals in prevention and support for loved ones. These courses will be available in Paris from 2025, in addition to those offered in Lyon.

These actions come at a time when caregivers are benefiting from certain advances, but resources remain insufficient. "There has been a public policy since 2019, but it's still very timid. There aren't enough resources or concrete solutions,"stresses Henri de Rohan-Chabot. The work is therefore still necessary, because as he reminds us:"Today, we have 1.5 million people over 85. By 2050, there will be 5 million. We therefore need to develop support solutions for caregivers, so that they can be fully integrated into the healthcare system.

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Published December 20, 2024