Reablement: Short-term support from adult social care

Reablement is a short-term and intensive service designed to help people in their recovery after an illness or disability. It can help you regain your skills, abilities and confidence to manage everyday tasks and live as independently as possible.

Who is reablement for?

If you are unable to do things for yourself at home, then we may be able to offer you reablement.  You might be unable to do things like get in and out of bed, wash, get dressed, cook, eat or drink due to surgery, a fall or feeling temporarily unwell. Reablement can help you recover in these areas.

What does it involve?

Reablement involves an organisation called ECL visiting you at home.  Staff will:

  • work with you on the things you want to learn to do again 
  • support you to regain your confidence, strength and balance 
  • help you get any equipment or care technology you need to recover and be safe at home 

For example, if you are at risk of having a fall, they will help you rearrange things at home, look at what equipment could help you move around and advise you on techniques to be safe.

What is the aim of reablement?

The aim is simple: We want to help you regain your skills, abilities and confidence to manage everyday tasks and live as independently as possible. This is to help prevent or delay you from needing ongoing care at home or in a care home.

When can I get reablement?

You can get reablement at any time. We work with a lot of people when they return home from hospital. We also support people who are living at home and struggling to care for themselves.

How long is it for?

Most people get support from reablement for two to three weeks, but it can vary from person to person. Some people need support for only a few days. Others need support for up to six weeks.   

What happens at the end of reablement?

If you can manage everyday tasks at the end of reablement, no further support from adult social care is needed. If you are unlikely to fully recover, we will refer you for a Care Needs Assessment to look at what ongoing support you might need from adult social care.

How much does it cost?

Reablement is free.  However, if you need ongoing care when reablement ends, you may need to pay for part or all of this.  

How can I get reablement?

If you or a loved one are in hospital, please speak to the staff working on the hospital ward. If you are living at home, please contact the Adult Intake Team on telephone 020 8227 2915 or email IntakeTeam@lbbd.gov.uk

Staff will ask you a few questions to check if reablement might be right for you. If so, they will refer you to ECL. ECL will contact you to arrange a visit. They will carry out an assessment during the visit to understand if you would benefit from reablement.  

Other information

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