One of the main aims of the DLCI is to provide support for English-speaking ladies in this area. Many of the issues facing us are magnified because of unfamiliarity with the system and limited fluency in French.
With luck, we won’t face major challenges, but we hope that, as a club, we can provide mutual support to those who do. To help with this aim, we have a Committee member whose particular remit is to facilitate support, backed up, of course, by the rest of the Committee and the whole membership. Please don't hesitate to contact her at: welfare@dlci.info
There is considerable information available on the Internet about specialised English-speaking organisations and you may find the following links useful.
The website for AngloINFO has a wealth of material on this subject, which covers matters such as choosing a doctor who speaks English, health insurance, emergency numbers (and what to say) an overview of support for those with disabilities, medical terminology and much more.
Just go to their website, dordogne.angloinfo.com/ and click on the healthcare link on the left hand side.
There is an Anglophone support group for Alzheimer’s sufferers and carers which meets every week in Bergerac. For details, call your Committee’s Welfare Coordinator, or contact l’Association France Alzheimer Dordogne, at 0553 27 30 34 alzheimer.dordogne@orange.fr,
or see their website, francealzheimer-dordogne.org
English Opthalmologist
Dr Brian Redmill is English. He used to be a consultant at Lincoln County Hospital, before that he worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He is based in Perigueux where has recently opened his new practice, so is able to take more patients. His consultation fees are as per social security and therefore offer excellent value for money. Apparently he has a very mice gentle manner with patients. Contact details:
Dr Brian Redmill
Médecin Ophtalmologiste
20 rue du Vélodrome
24000 PERIGUEUX
TEL 05 53 58 82 90 NB This number may be changing
Appointments can also be made on line through doctolib.fr
Again there is considerable information on the AngloINFO Dordogne website. After you follow the Healthcare link, click on Death and Dying. It explains how and where you report a death, how to arrange a burial or cremation and where you may scatter ashes. There are also legal experts available who will go through this with you in advance and provide you with a personal booklet based on your decisions so that another family member can fulfil your wishes without difficulty.
Useful information is provided by The Connexion, which has comprehensive information on your options in France. The easiest way to see this material is to google Divorce: your options in FranceThe Connexion. Another good organisation is 'Tamaris'Aquila providing support for divorced and separated anglophones in France. It's a facilitated self-help programme coordinated by trained facilitators. Their contact is: tamaris@loches.org or telephone 02 36 05 41 28
The French Social Security system may supplement the income of those French residents who are over 65 and have a monthly income below €787.26. For eligibility details see the information pages on AngloINFO Dordogne, at dordogne.angloinfo.com and follow the link for Information, then Social Security, under the ‘Money’ heading.
There are numerous English-speaking helplines here. A few examples are listed below: you will find contact details for
most on the following website:
counsellingfrance.com/helplines.htm
Battered Women helpline
Alcohol hotline
Cancer Support France
Drug Abuse Helpline
WAIF (Women Alone in France)
Certified Translator: Michael Taylor
+33(0)553 05 16 20 taylorbost@gmail.com
If you are aware of any further topics/information which you think would be a useful addition to this page, please contact the Welfare Committee Member (see above).