Long-term care in France, a key issue for society which Crédit Agricole Assurances is fully committed to addressing

Long-term care in France, a key issue for society which Crédit Agricole Assurances is fully committed to addressing

• Vers l’Autonomie, the new long-term care product with innovative features offered by Crédit Agricole Assurances
• Crédit Agricole Assurances Trend Watch for risks in Europe: the French are particularly concerned about long-term care issues
• Since 2011, Crédit Agricole Assurances has been committed to supporting volunteer and family caregivers working with the dependent

At a time when long-term care cover has become a major issue for society, the Crédit Agricole Group, Europe’s leading bankinsurer and France’s second largest life insurer, is looking to support its customers and further strengthen its position as a benchmark operator in this field*. In 2010, France had 1.1 million dependent people, becoming dependent at an average age of 80. Their number is set to rise by 60% to 1.6 million by 2040**.

New intergenerational long-term care solution

In this environment marked by the ageing of the population and the resulting dependency, Predica, a Crédit Agricole Assurances subsidiary, is launching Vers l’Autonomie, a new long-term care insurance product. Developed together with customers and Crédit Agricole’s Regional Banks, Vers l’Autonomie is built around a financial component, assistance services and a dedicated information and prevention website for long-term care.
The financial component offers a monthly annuity that provides additional income, combined with an “equipment” capital payment to fit out and adapt policyholder homes.
The innovative intergenerational assistance component offers a response to the concerns of policyholders, their parents, children or caregivers, based on a range of services enabling them to manage their day-to-day lives more easily: home audit, assistance with administrative processes, monitoring by a social assistant, caregiver relief and help with nursing home placements are some of the assistance services offered.
The website www.i-dependance.fr provides advice for the general public and our customers for issues about how to manage dependent people. The information provided includes expert advice on the various illnesses relating to loss of independence, available assistance and the caregiver's role.

Crédit Agricole Assurances Trend Watch for risks in Europe (July 2012) reveals that the French are particularly concerned about long-term care

When interviewed about 17 everyday risks, French people revealed that they have major concerns about disability and a loss of independence (71% of the people polled said they were very or relatively concerned about losing their independence, with this figure coming out at 67% for concerns about becoming permanently disabled). These concerns increase when they have to do with a member of their household and available financial resources are considered too low to cope (only 32% said they would be financially in a position to cope with losing their independence, climbing to 34% for permanent disability).
Full details on the Trend Watch's findings are available online at www.ca-assurances.com.

Long-term commitment to volunteer or family caregivers

In terms of long-term care, Crédit Agricole Assurances has continued moving forward since 2011 with its commitment to volunteer or family caregivers, focusing on three key actions:

• A nationwide call for projects each year, aimed at funding local initiatives carried out by associations working to support caregivers;
• “La minute des aidants” (Caregivers’ Minute), a short TV programme shown on France 5, offering useful advice for caregivers and raising public awareness;
• A dedicated website www.etreaidant.com intended primarily for caregivers and associations.

Nationwide campaign

This new offer will be showcased in Crédit Agricole’s national campaign from 9 to 30 September 2012, centred around long-term care, presented on television, radio, the press and the internet, including banners on affinity sites.
   
* Long-term care protection represents a concrete example of the “Health, Personal Protection and Retirement” excellence pillar within the Crédit Agricole Group project.
** Source: French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA)