IT’’S IMPORTANT – THINK ABOUT IT !
No one is beyond suffering from a sudden loss of autonomy, for example after a cerebral vascular problem or a simple unfortunate fall. At our age, we are all exposed to the risk of losing the capacity to judge situations, or one of the many forms of dementia. We must think of this possibility, whose consequences could result in a loss of our individual autonomy.
This is what a former colleague reminded us in the Readers Correspondence on page 23 of our Bulletin No 51 in autumn 2016, an article which we strongly encourage you to read again :
https://gac-epa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/51.pdf
Recent French medical news demonstrates the difficulties which a family can meet when it is a question of end of life. We have recently helped one of our members who was rather disoriented in his daily life.
Thus we believe that it is useful to encourage you to take action BEFORE knowing difficulties, be it either preparatory medical advice and/or for a mandate for incapacity (management and help with daily living) To do this, we give below several addresses in Switzerland and France which could help you in this respect.
In Switzerland:
The first to contact for information : ProSenectute ou les Services sociaux communaux.
Pro Senectute Geneva has links with other cantons and with other associations and organisations,. : https://www.prosenectute.ch/fr/qui-sommes-nous/pro-senectute-pres-de-chez-vous-2/geneve.html
Mandate due to incapacity (management and help with daily living) :
https://www.geneve.ch/demarches/inscrire-mandat-cause-inaptitude
Early instructions (medical care) : https://www.geneve.ch/public/seniors/penser-mort/directives-anticipees
Example of practical guides :
https://www.prosenectute.ch/fr/services/conseil.html
https://www.caritas.ch/fr/trouver-de-laide
…also includes the Actions at end of Life and Wills
In France :
For information: the CLIC (Centre Local d’Information et Coordination Gérontologique), at Chevry in the Pays de Gex : https://www.paysdegexagglo.fr/vos-demarches/clic-seniors/
Mandate for future protection :https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F16670
Early instructions : last wishes for end of life care : https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F32010
If the links are no longer valid, search the web with keywords: For Switzerland: “mandat pour cause d’inaptitude” and “directives anticipées”. For France: “mandat de protection future” and ““directives anticipées”