Nearly 6 out of 10 seniors did not anticipate financially a possible loss of autonomy
With the aging of the baby boom generation, the number of seniors losing autonomy is expected to reach 2.8 million by 20501. Faced with this reality, only a quarter of those over 60 say they are fully prepared. For others, this stage of life raises concerns, particularly in financial terms.
AN INCREASING DIFFICULTY FOR SENIORS TO PREPARE FOR ADDICTION
Faced with the extension of life expectancy, addiction is a dreaded horizon but little anticipated by seniors. Once again this year, only 1 in 2 seniors say they are ready to face a situation of dependency (54%, -2 pts versus 2024). In detail, only 23% say they are fully prepared if this should happen to them tomorrow (-3 pts).
This low anticipation is accompanied by growing concern about the financial cost of addiction: 68% of seniors say they are concerned (+5 pts). This signal is consistent with the decrease in the average budget they believe they can devote to the adaptation of their housing: 8,628 euros on average, 519 euros less than in 2024. This budget varies greatly depending on the residential status: landlords expect on average 9,796 euros, nearly double the number of tenants, who expect only 4,156 euros.
Behind these figures is a structural difficulty in preparing yourself for this stage of life: only 42% of seniors have started financial preparation, while 30% plan to rely on their children in case of addiction (-5 pts). Yet family support may be limited. Only 11% consider it likely that they will be taken in by their children or grandchildren if they lose autonomy.
CONCERNS THAT ARE NOT JUST BUDGETARY… BUT ALWAYS HAVE A COST
While financial issues are omnipresent about addiction, the first concern remains physical for nearly 8 out of 10 seniors (78%, -6 pts vs. 2024). Also from a material point of view, 34% of seniors fear that their housing will no longer be suitable if they lose autonomy.
However, only a minority anticipate a change of place of life: 32% plan to join a specialized structure in case of dependence. This is not an attractive prospect, particularly given the perceived high cost of these establishments. Indeed, 71% of seniors cite this expenditure as a major concern (+6 pts vs. 2024).Staying at home does not seem like a simple solution either. Nearly half of those surveyed are concerned about the cost of home care services (49%, +4 pts vs. 2024) and a quarter of the cost of the necessary adjustments (25%, +5 pts vs. 2024).
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WORK IS FAR FROM ANECDOTAL
Some work seems both essential and feasible, in particular the installation of a fall warning system (78% consider it necessary and 59% that it is financially accessible). However, other transformations seem unaffordable: widening the doors and corridors for a wheelchair (considered necessary by 43% but too expensive by 31%), or the complete redevelopment of the bathroom (considered necessary by 67% but inaccessible for 24%).
FACED WITH THIS POTENTIAL LIFE CHANGE, GUARANTEEING FINANCIAL SECURITY IS THE FIRST REFLEX
The majority of seniors rely primarily on their own financial capacities. They plan to mobilize their savings (50%), their life insurance (26%) or the sale or rental of their home (24%).
In anticipation, some even resign themselves to extending their professional activity in order to increase their resources: 39% of active seniors believe that they will have to continue working after the legal retirement age to ensure their financial security.
Only 34% think they can count on public aid, which is often considered insufficient or poorly known. This lack of legibility of the system is also reflected in the lack of information: 46% of seniors do not inquire about the subject.
Addiction is a dreaded stage of life and it is often in a hurry that seniors and their families prepare it, generating significant expenses in a short time. To help them better anticipate a possible loss of autonomy, support systems, whether dedicated savings solutions or loans adapted to aging well, could be a valuable lever.
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About the SofinscopeSofinscope is the barometer of Sofinco, a Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility brand in France. Intended to survey the French on their consumption habits and to better understand them, this barometer which is part of the daily lives of the French is carried out by OpinionWay for Sofinco, with representative samples of the French population.This study was conducted on a sample of 1037 people, representative of the French population aged 60 and over. The sample was selected according to the quota method, taking into account the criteria of sex, age, socio-occupational category, agglomeration category and region of residence. The interviews were conducted from 16 to 23 October 2025 by self-administered online questionnaire on a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) system. All the results are available online on the Sofinscope website: the barometer that gives you a head start on consumption
About SofincoIn France, Sofinco is the trademark of Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility, which distributes a wide range of personal financing to individuals and associated services across all distribution channels: direct sales, point-of-sale financing (home equipment) and partnerships. Sofinco offers flexible, responsible solutions tailored to the needs of its customers and partners (major retail, specialized and institutional retailers). For more information: www.sofinco.fr