Les paradoxes du recours aux aidants familiaux. L’exemple des politiques de soutien à domicile dans le champ du handicap en France et au Québec

Abstract

The paradoxes of using family carers. The example of home care policies with regard to disability in France and Quebec. Using family carers is a topical matter due to ageing populations and questions, in a wider sense, the dynamic of assistance for people in public policies, including the disabled. Based on research recently conducted in France and Quebec with regard to “ non-residential” policies, this article proposes a comparative reading of responses to the challenges that use of carers brings in terms of institutional arrangements and sharing roles with regard to the disabled. Five paradoxes have been identified, putting the reciprocal accusations of “ disinvestment” into perspective. Public institutions and social or medical services cannot fully replace carers with their own modi operandi (affectivity, intimacy, proximity) and the State needs to take into account the realities of contemporary families (public solidarity, respite, aspirations).