While investigating politics of ageing in modern society, I have for three years photographed life within a geriatric hospital in France. The « Protected Unit » is home to residents with Alzheimer’s disease. Due to tendencies to wander about and potentially get lost, they are confined within the ward. A locked door separates the occupants from the rest of the hospital. Ruled according to the “precaution principle”, residents in the unit can circulate freely within the secured area but due to a lack of activities and a limited presence of carers, the locked door becomes the centre of attention for the residents who question the obstruction and attempt to force it open. The daily struggle with the door can last for hours.This series documents the day-to-day challenges in an often ignored sector, but also the wider implications of caring for the growing populations of elderly today as an increasing life span has coincided with the breakdown of the family unit.While giving a rare insight to a part of the modern geriatric institution, this series attempts to create a discussion about our institutionalized, modern way of living as well as the use of confinement as an aspect of care.