Reablement care is temporary care for an individual who has been in hospital, had a fall or an illness. It may also be referred to as intermediate care, hospital-to-home care or aftercare.
The purpose of reablement care is to help an individual get back to normal and regain their independence. The support typically focuses on helping with daily activities like preparing meals or washing.
How long does Reablement Care last?
Reablement care is short-term and temporary. It’s usually offered for one or two weeks, but this will depend on how long it takes your loved one to return to independence and cope at home. Your loved one may be able to get free reablement care for up to six weeks—if this service is available where they live.
What’s included in reablement care?
Reablement care will be tailored to the specific needs of your loved one. They may need to be cared for in the early stages of reablement, but the goal will always be to help them regain their independence as quickly as they’re able to.
Here are some services that may be included in a reablement care package:
- Support with personal care such as washing and dressing
- Assistance with mobility and moving safely around the home
- Help with meal preparation and maintaining a healthy diet
- Support to manage household tasks like cleaning and laundry
- Assistance with getting back to a daily routine
- Encouragement to regain confidence in daily activities.
Who’s involved in reablement care
Depending on your loved one’s needs, their reablement care team will likely contain a mix of professionals from the NHS and social services. This may include the following:
- Care professionals
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech and language therapists
- District nurses
- Social workers
- General practitioners (GPs)
- Dietitians
- Mental health professionals
The difference between reablement and rehabilitation care
Although reablement and rehabilitation care both aim to help individuals regain independence, they have distinct differences.
Reablement care focuses on helping individuals regain confidence in daily living tasks after an illness, injury or hospital stay. It is typically a short-term service, often lasting up to six weeks, and aims to support people in adapting to life at home without long-term care support.
Rehabilitation care is more medical and involves structured therapy provided by professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists or speech therapists. It’s used for more complex recovery needs, such as regaining movement after a stroke or recovering from surgery. Rehabilitation care can be part of a longer-term recovery plan and may take place in a hospital, a rehabilitation centre or at home.
Both types of care can work together, with reablement care supporting an individual in continuing their recovery after receiving rehabilitation care.
Who organises reablement care
There are different routes to a reablement care package depending on the circumstances leading up to your loved one needing this type of care. Access to intermediate care will also depend on the services available locally to them. They may be eligible for up to six weeks of free reablement care, but some types of care may also need to be paid for.
Returning home after hospital
If your loved one needs intermediate care after a hospital stay, hospital staff and a discharge coordinator should assess their needs and arrange appropriate care. This should be organised before your loved one leaves the hospital.
If your loved one has been discharged from hospital without reablement care in place, you should contact social services. The hospital won’t be able to put short-term care in place after your loved one has been discharged.
After a fall or illness at home
Reablement care can also be organised to prevent your loved one from going to hospital—if it’s more appropriate for them to be treated at home. Contact your loved one’s GP surgery or speak to social services to arrange for their needs to be assessed.
If coping at home becomes difficult
Short-term care can also be arranged if your loved one is struggling with everyday tasks. This can help them to learn new ways of coping at home, as well as highlight areas they may need ongoing support with. Additional or ongoing care may need to be self-funded.
You should apply for a needs assessment for your loved one so that social services can identify and organise the support they need.
Self-funded reablement care
If you or your loved one want intermediate care independent of what your local authority can offer, you can choose a private care provider.
Your chosen reablement care provider can work alongside other professionals—such as occupational therapists or nurses—to support your loved one to build back their independence.
Local, professional reablement care
At Comfort Care At Home, we understand how important it is for your loved one to regain their independence and confidence after an illness or hospital stay. Our dedicated care professionals provide personalised, compassionate support to help your loved one rebuild strength and return to their daily routine.
We have extensive experience in reablement care and work closely with families in the Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton and Surrey areas to ensure the best possible recovery outcomes for their loved ones.
Contact us today to arrange a free consultation so that we can create a tailored care plan that suits your loved one’s needs.
You can also speak to one of our friendly Care Team on 020 8610 9778 or email us on info@comfortcareathome.co.uk and we will answer all your questions, provide you with helpful advice and signpost you to additional information. We are here to help.