Reablement in a community setting

PURPOSE: When older adults experience a decrease in functional independence including decreased ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) tasks, rehabilitation services are required. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate if a home-based reablement program influenced the ADL ability of older adults.

METHODS: Ninety-one older adults (80 ± 9 years) were allocated to a 12-weeks home-based reablement program consisting of ADL task performance training by a home carer supervised by an occupational therapist. ADL ability was measured at baseline, at 12 weeks and at follow-up (range: 310-592 d) using the ADL-Interview (ADL-I).

RESULTS: Overall, ADL ability improved significantly over time (p = 0.041). Post-hoc t-tests indicated that the improvements occurred between baseline and end of intervention (p = 0.042) and were maintained at follow-up 10 months after intervention (p = 0.674). There were no effects related to age (p = 0.787) or to whether the older adult had received help previously (p = 0.120).

CONCLUSION: A 12-weeks home-based reablement program was found to improve ADL ability among older adults regardless of whether they previously received help. This implies that receiving home care services should not be considered a barrier to participation in a reablement program. [Box: see text].