Earlier this week, the Chamber of Employees published a document criticising the high tariffs charged by retirement homes in Luxembourg. From supervised housing for independent people (€1,718 per month) to integrated centres for the elderly (€2,452) to care homes (€2,706 per person), the report deplored the high price range, inaccessible for some pensioners, particularly those who receive the minimum pension of €1,841.51 per month
The report has since provoked a response from Copas, an association made up of 54 members, virtually all the retirement homes in Luxembourg. In their response, the association said prices were largely based on labour and operating costs, which are negotiated by collective agreement.
Copas also said the average cost of living in a retirement home constituted a maximum of 25% of the average overall cost per person, the remaining 75% being covered by long-term care insurance and health insurance, leaving very little room for manoeuvre.
Retirement homes, however, said they expected the law on price transparency, even if the choice of a retirement home is, they say, not only dependent on a clear and legible listing of different prices and services, but also the concept of care and any other element likely to contribute to the well-being of residents.
