[A territorial survey of the accessibility of French nursing homes for individuals with class III obesity].

Abstract

The growing prevalence of class III obesity among older adults raises important challenges for accessibility in long-term care facilities. This study aimed to assess the availability of human and technical resources in nursing homes within a French department for the care of residents weighing over 150 kg. A descriptive survey was conducted in September 2024 among 137 nursing homes, exploring three key criteria: housing accessibility, availability of bariatric equipment, and the ability to mobilize two caregivers. Among the 75 responding facilities, only eight met all three criteria. The possibility of two-person mobilization was the most frequently available (80%), compared to 57% for housing accessibility and 11% for bariatric equipment. These findings highlight the need to anticipate the specific requirements of individuals with severe obesity, to adapt facility equipment accordingly, and to prevent weight-related stigma in residential care settings for older adults.