Reablement care is a healthcare model that helps older people who have become increasingly dependent on others to regain their ability to do everyday tasks. Today, it focuses on helping patients regain independence and prevent further decline and its approach is focused on helping older people who have become increasingly dependent on others to regain their ability to do everyday tasks. It also aims to prevent further decline and improve quality of life.
If this is something you’re considering in the near future, here’s everything you need to know.
What is reablement care?
Reablement is a form of community-based rehabilitation for older people that is designed to help them regain skills and confidence to live independently. It can be provided in a person’s own home, or in a residential care home.
The aim is for older people who have been hospitalised following an illness or a fall to be able to return home as soon as possible, with the support of family members and/or carers. A reablement team will visit you at home frequently (perhaps daily), assess your needs and provide appropriate help with tasks such as washing and dressing, cooking simple meals, and managing money. This could involve training the person in question in self-care techniques or helping with any tasks that are too difficult for someone with limited mobility like eating food on their own when they have difficulty swallowing or using cutlery normally.
A reablement team may also provide practical help such as clearing snow from walking paths in your home or helping people walk with an aid such as a walking frame.
What are the benefits?
It can help people make new friends
Reablement care can help people make friends and socialise with other people in the community who may be in a similar situation. This can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness and improve your mental well-being.
It can help people learn new skills
This type of support can also help care receivers learn new skills that can make everyday tasks easier, such as how to use an aid or appliance, or how to cook a simple meal. These skills can help elderly people live more independently.
It can help people stay active and healthy
Staying fit is an important part of maintaining your independence as you get older. Reablement care can help you to stay active and healthy by providing support with tasks such as walking, exercising or swimming. Providing support early on can also help to prevent a decline in a person’s health, and reduces the need for more intensive forms of support in the future.
Reablement care can be adapted to meet changing needs
The level of support you receive from a reablement team will be tailored to meet individual needs. As each individual’s needs change, the level of support you receive can be increased or decreased accordingly.
Reablement care is time-limited
Reablement care is designed to be a short-term intervention, with the aim of helping people to regain their independence and confidence. Once someone has made progress and no longer needs the same level of support, they will be discharged from the service. This ensures that reablement services are available to those who need them most.
It can help people feel more purposeful and motivated
Managing a condition, even with the support of a professional reablement care worker, can be frustrating. Reablement can help people feel more purposeful and motivated by setting goals that are achievable and enjoyable.
How to access reablement care
If you think you would benefit from reablement care, speak to your GP or another healthcare professional who will be able to assess your needs and refer you to the service if appropriate. You can also contact your local authority or health board to find out if there are any reablement services in your area. Professional care agencies like Aspire UK can also provide this type of support at home to improve the well-being and quality of life of the people entrusted to their care.
Access compassionate reablement care with experienced home care workers
Reablement care is a type of support that can help people to regain their independence and confidence. It is designed to be a short-term intervention, with the aim of helping people to learn new skills and stay active and healthy. If you think you or some you know would benefit from reablement care, speak to your GP or another healthcare professional who will be able to assess your needs and refer you to the service if appropriate. You can also get in touch with our team at Aspire UK for more urgent support today.
