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Reablement

Introduction

You may be referred to Reablement as a way of helping you to adapt to life back at home when you leave hospital after an operation or illness.  Or you may be referred by a social worker or district nurse if you need intensive support at home after an illness or physical injury. You can also make a personal enquiry about using Reablement. To do this contact Gateway to Care who will tell you about the service.

Reablement will give you the opportunity to regain your independence in your own home. The service is part of a national programme called Putting People First, which aims to make the care and support that Councils provide, fit the needs of individual people like you.

First steps

First we will make an assessment of your needs to see if Reablement is appropriate for you. If it is, we will agree a plan with you about what you would like to get out of Reablement, to help you live a more independent life.

Together we will look at what you used to do, and try to find ways for you to do as many things as possible for yourself. This may be by finding new ways for you to do things, telling you about special equipment and technology that could assist you, and by offering practical help and encouragement. Reablement may last up to eight weeks.

Help from Reablement

We will organise a package of care for you, to focus on those everyday issues where you need to re-learn skills, or learn new ones, so that you don't have to rely on other people so much. Things such as personal care, washing and dressing; helping with memory problems; laundry, cooking and shopping; advice on home safety; and getting into the habit of taking prescribed medication regularly and on time.

We'll also help you to get equipment to assist you to be more independent, and we can involve your carer or family so they can help you to carry on being independent after Reablement has finished.

As you become more independent over the weeks, we will adjust the support we give you. We will usually work with you for six weeks, but it could be more or less depending on when you achieve the things in your plan.

After Reablement

We hope that when Reablement ends you will not require any further help or support, but if you do we will offer you some guidance about this.  If you are eligible you may be entitled to a Personal Budget to help you choose the support that is right for you.

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