It’s a scandalous investigation. After three years of research in the retirement homes of the ORPEA group, journalist Victor Castanet made horrific discoveries: the system mistreats our elderly. Shocking revelations that the number 1 nursing home would have tried to remain silent.
Since Wednesday, January 26, a book with a chilling and highly evocative title has been shaking the world leader in private nursing homes. Published by Fayard editions, the gravediggers denounces the scandalous practices of the ORPEA group regarding the elderly.
“I met directors, regional directors, people from the head office in all departments […] who methodically told me about the system put in place by the leaders of this group. It is primarily an extremely violent cost reduction system. »
Victor Castanet “C for you”
The investigative journalist interviewed as many as 250 people, including a resident who explains that he was “rationed” despite the 8,000 euros he pays each month, or the family of Françoise Dori who declares that the actress died from a poorly treated pressure ulcer, less than three months after entering a nursing home. Added to this are many other horrifying testimonies about the living conditions of the residents.
While investigating the hidden side of residential facilities for dependent elderly, Victor Castanet was confronted with hostility from the ORPEA group. during the show “C for you”, he claims to have been pressured to dissuade him from investigating. The world leader of Ehpad is said to have tried to buy his silence in exchange for 15 million euros. A colossal amount which he refused.
“It happened halfway through my investigation that an intermediary offered me a large sum of money to stop me from going to the end. »
Victor Castanet “It is up to you”
On Monday, January 24, ORPEA’s management responded by stating: “We formally dispute all of these allegations, which we consider false, outrageous and harmful. »
15 million euros in exchange for silence? A pretty high amount if you have nothing to be ashamed of…