Abstract
: Local authorities and health services in Wales are tasked with reablement, aimed
at helping individuals who are at risk of frailty maintain and improve independence. However,
certain social care constraints reduce resources for reablement services. The review aimed
to identify evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of at-home time-limited
reablement services for improving an individual’s independence and health outcomes and
reducing the need for long term care.
The review included available evidence to December 2024. Eighteen studies were included:
15 primary studies of clinical effectiveness; two economic evaluations; and one study of both
clinical and cost-effectiveness.
There was a significant amount of evidence on the effectiveness of reablement interventions
on person-related outcomes. The interventions were effective in improving outcomes
associated with independent living and were effective in improving quality of life outcomes.
Reablement interventions may be effective in improving falls outcomes, in reducing the risk
of mortality, and improving clients’ coping in terms of sense of coherence. Strong
international evidence indicates that reablement was effective in improving people’s ability to
undertake mobility and daily living activities.
The review also identified a significant amount of evidence on the effectiveness of
reablement interventions on service-level outcomes. Reablement reduced the need for long
term home care services and was effective in reducing residential care admissions. In terms
of other service-level outcomes, there were some contradictory and inconsistent findings on
reablement’s effectiveness. One study found that reablement was effective in reducing the
number of outpatient treatments compared with usual care.
The economic evaluations found reablement services were cost-effective when compared to
standard at-home care, although there were some methodological flaws that limited the
certainty of findings.
We identified the policy and practice implications, the need for further research and
economic considerations
at helping individuals who are at risk of frailty maintain and improve independence. However,
certain social care constraints reduce resources for reablement services. The review aimed
to identify evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of at-home time-limited
reablement services for improving an individual’s independence and health outcomes and
reducing the need for long term care.
The review included available evidence to December 2024. Eighteen studies were included:
15 primary studies of clinical effectiveness; two economic evaluations; and one study of both
clinical and cost-effectiveness.
There was a significant amount of evidence on the effectiveness of reablement interventions
on person-related outcomes. The interventions were effective in improving outcomes
associated with independent living and were effective in improving quality of life outcomes.
Reablement interventions may be effective in improving falls outcomes, in reducing the risk
of mortality, and improving clients’ coping in terms of sense of coherence. Strong
international evidence indicates that reablement was effective in improving people’s ability to
undertake mobility and daily living activities.
The review also identified a significant amount of evidence on the effectiveness of
reablement interventions on service-level outcomes. Reablement reduced the need for long
term home care services and was effective in reducing residential care admissions. In terms
of other service-level outcomes, there were some contradictory and inconsistent findings on
reablement’s effectiveness. One study found that reablement was effective in reducing the
number of outpatient treatments compared with usual care.
The economic evaluations found reablement services were cost-effective when compared to
standard at-home care, although there were some methodological flaws that limited the
certainty of findings.
We identified the policy and practice implications, the need for further research and
economic considerations
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | MedRxiv |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 14 Jun 2025 |