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

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 stigma in residential care settings for older adults.