- Many consumers expected home support services to compensate for their functional losses (i.e. that support workers would do tasks for them, not with them). When clients were expected to ‘do with’, rather than having staff ‘do for’, it often led to negativity and poorer reablement outcomes.
- Conversely, research found that reablement was generally well received by older adults and their informal carers when: – They understood their role in the process – They were fully consulted in developing their reablement goals
“Many older people had a positive opinion of the underlying principles of reablement, particularly its focus on enabling them to maintain independence in their usual residence and promotion of active participation“
- When consumers understand how reablement supports independence and social connectivity, they are more likely to positively engage.
- Clients found it highly motivating to be encouraged by someone outside of their family. They valued being considered capable.
