MEDICA : and Evidences Mobiliers Light the Way with a Luminescent Furniture Varnish Specially Designed for Care Homes for the Dependent Elderly

Keeping the elderly safe from night-time falls

Regulatory News:

A photoluminescent varnish applied to the outline of furniture (bed, chest of drawers, bedside table, desk, chair, armchair, etc.) in the rooms of care homes for the dependent elderly to prevent night-time falls among residents. That's what Evidences Mobiliers, an SME based in the Vendée region of France, has developed in close conjunction with the MEDICA group (Paris:MDCA), a leading provider of long-term and short-term care services in France.

This innovation has the major benefit of helping residents to move around their rooms safely and to maintain their autonomy in order to prevent falls, which are frequent at night. Of the reported falls in MEDICA homes in 2012, 75% occurred within the rooms of residents and 54% of these occurred between 7pm and 8am; i.e. during the night. These findings led the Group to look for innovative solutions to enhance the safety of residents' movements at night.

An innovation tested and certified in 2012

The secret lies in illuminating the outlines of items of furniture in the dark by applying a layer of luminescent varnish. The areas covered by this varnish then glow softly in the dark, thus allowing residents to clearly make out where their furniture is situated and move around their rooms in complete safety.

The varnish has proved to be effective during a period of eight to twelve hours of complete darkness. It was approved in 2012 by the Photoluminescent Assistance and Measures (PHLAM) laboratory, which is accredited by Det Norske Veritas and Bureau Veritas to assess maritime photoluminescent systems.

Residents and their families have also given positive feedback, following tests conducted in three rooms of MEDICA's Saint Charles à Sceaux home. These positive experiences have affirmed the concept's relevance in the minds of the project developers. Care staff at the Sceaux home noted that the luminescent markings did not interfere with the residents' sleep, and instead made them feel safer during the night.

A glowing partnership

This technical innovation was made possible by a constructive partnership between MEDICA and Evidence Mobiliers, one of its integrated suppliers and a partner of the Group for nine years. This partnership forms part of MEDICA's policy of Corporate Social Responsibility.

"Evidences Mobiliers was involved with us from the project's inception, as soon as we had the idea of using a luminescent powder in our care homes to enhance the safety of residents at night and to maintain their autonomy", explained Laurent Labarre, MEDICA's head of purchasing. He added that, "Evidences Mobiliers immediately embraced the project and led the research and development stages to adapt the luminescent powder to furniture".

A project group was thus formed in line with MEDICA's continuing emphasis on improving its services to the elderly, and alongside the constant industrial and commercial development taking place at Evidence Mobiliers. Sophie Julie, MEDICA'S interior designer, also lent her expertise from the start of the project in order to ensure its aesthetic cohesion.

A new rollout

The first MEDICA care home for the dependent elderly to be equipped with glow-in-the-dark furniture will open its doors in Saint Sulpice sur Lèze in Haute-Garonne in mid-April 2013. A general rollout of upgraded furniture is planned for all MEDICA homes in construction or under renovation. Plans to replace the current equipment in existing homes are in the pipeline.

This project forms part of the French government's new focus on the "Silver Economy", aimed at improving the quality of life of care-home residents, in particular through technological innovations.

ABOUT EVIDENCES MOBILIERS

Founded in 2001, Evidences Mobiliers is an SME specialised in the design and manufacture of furniture adapted to care homes for the dependent elderly. Based in Vendée in France, the company manufactures over 200 exclusive and registered designs made from components and materials selected on an eco-responsible and sustainable basis. It has chosen to integrate its supply and production chain, boasting its own design department, a production site and a logistics service. The company has 47 full-time employees and is responsible for nearly 80 jobs in total when taking its outsourcing partners into account.
Website: www.evidencesmobiliers.fr

ABOUT THE MEDICA GROUP

Founded in 1968, the MEDICA group, a leading provider of long-term and short-term care services in France, operates a suite of care homes for the dependent elderly in France and Italy, and is active in the post-acute and psychiatric care segment through its rehabilitation and recuperative care facilities and psychiatric clinics. As of 31 December 2012, the MEDICA group had a total accommodation capacity of 16,600 beds and a staff of close to 10,700 in these two sectors.

Since February 2010, MEDICA has been listed on Compartment B of NYSE Euronext Paris - Eligible for the "long only" Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). MEDICA is included in the SBF 120, Euronext CAC Healthcare, MSCI France Small Cap and Gaia Index indices.
Code: MDCA - ISIN: FR0010372581 - Reuters: MDCA PA - Bloomberg: MDCA FP
Website: www.groupemedica.com

Media Relations
MEDICA
Isabelle Moinot ? Tel: [phone]
Head of CSR/Communications
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or
Agnès Gilbert ? Tel: [phone] ? [phone]
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or
EVIDENCES MOBILIERS
Patrick Mathé ? Tel: [phone]
Founder ? CEO
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