Staying independent and reablement

Staying independent is central to living a happy and fulfilling life. If your abilities change, doing things on your own can become harder. Find out about:

• equipment and adaptations
• finding help at home
• housing options

to help you keep living safely in your own home.

To find out more see Staying independent.

Short-term support - reablement

Reablement is short-term support to help you regain your independence if you have:

• been in hospital
• had an illness
• had a fall
• had a change in your needs

It is a free, short-term service, usually lasting from a few days up to 6 weeks. It rebuilds your skills, confidence and daily routines so you can live as independently as possible.

We are a therapy-lead service and our approach is person-centred and strengths-based. This means we work with you to:

• agree goals that matter to you
• support you to achieve them at your own pace

How we can support you

We tailor your support to your individual needs, but help may include:

• getting in and out of bed
• moving safely around your home
• washing, bathing or showering
• using the toilet
• preparing meals or drinks
• building confidence to manage daily activities

Trained staff, including occupational therapists, where appropriate, will help you achieve your goals.

What happens during reablement?

We will agree a personalised plan with you, focused on your recovery and independence.

Your progress will be regularly reviewed, and support will adapt as you improve.

Our aim is to help you do as much as you can for yourself, rather than doing things for you.

How do I get reablement support?

You can't self-refer to this service. A professional will suggest this service to you if they think you will benefit from it. This includes:

• hospital staff
• social care staff

What happens next

At the end of your reablement period, we will review your progress with you. If appropriate, we include your family or carers.

If you no longer need support, our service will close.

If you still need ongoing care, we will discuss the options available to you.

You may need to pay towards your longer-term care. A financial assessment helps us work out if you need to contribute towards the cost of your care.

You can find out more about this at Guide to paying for care.