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You are here:Adult Social Care

Cumbria Reablement Project

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What is reablement?

Reablement is a new service which aims to help people regain their independence following an illness, injury, disability or loss of personal support network.  It is a free service and is provided for a short period of time, usually no longer than six weeks.

The Reablement Service will work with individuals to help them to do things for themselves rather than do things for them.  It will focus on an individual’s strengths and abilities and help them build up their confidence in doing things for themselves such as:

• getting up, washed and dressed;
• preparing meals and snacks;
• getting about in and out of their home;
• doing household tasks like shopping, pension and laundry; and
• getting involved in social and leisure activities.

Reablement is about helping people develop or regain the skills and confidence to do things for themselves.

Who is reablement for?

Reablement is for people:

• aged 18 or over and living in Cumbria;
• who are capable of and would benefit from reablement (as above); and
• who live in their own home or would be able to live in the community with some support.

(By the ‘community’ here we mean people living in their own homes, extra care, group homes, supported housing and respite care but not people in longer term residential and nursing home placements.)

The service is initially being provided to new service users only.  However, there are plans to extend this to existing service users who experience a change in circumstances – see ‘Where is reablement available’ below for details.

Carers may also be able to have reablement to help them to continue to look after someone.

People receiving reablement do not have to be assessed as eligible under Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) eligibility criteria.  Equipment including Telecare or assistive technology provided as part of the reablement episode would be on the same basis.  There would be no charge for Telecare monitoring during reablement.  However, at the end of reablement, the service user would need to meet FACS criteria to receive long term support and would be liable for charges for this.

Reablement may not be for people who:

• need specialist rehabilitation - there is another service called Short Term Intervention (STINT) or Community Rehabilitation Services which provide this; or
• are not prepared to engage with reablement.

How long is reablement provided for?

Reablement provided for a short period of time, usually no longer than six weeks.

If a service user falls ill during a period of reablement, this can be suspended until they are well enough to continue.  On this basis, the reablement episode may extend beyond six weeks.

Is there a charge for reablement?

Reablement is provided free of charge. Equipment including Telecare/assistive technology provided as part of the reablement episode would also be provided free of charge.

However, there may be a charge for:

• other services an individual receives during a reablement episode; or
• ongoing support following the end of a reablement episode.

These chargeable services will also be subject to an assessment of need and Fair Access to Care Services eligibility criteria.

Where is reablement available?

Reablement was subject to a test phase in South Lakeland which finished on 31 May 2011.  Reablement is now available throughout South Lakeland, Furness, Copeland and Allerdale for both new and existing service users.

Reablement commenced in Carlisle from 1 November 2011; and in Eden (including Keswick) from 1 December 2011.  Initially, reablement will be offered to new service users from these dates.  It will then be made available to existing service users, please ask your local Adult Social Care office for details. 
 
How do I request reablement?

You can request reablement for an individual (subject to availability see above) through your nearest Adult Social Care office.

Requests should only be made with the consent of the individual.

For more information on the Reablement Service

For more information about reablement contact the Reablement Project through:

Anne Phillips
County Project Lead for Reablement
Tel: 07837 113472
Email: anne.phillips@cumbria.gov.uk