Helping people back on their feet

The Council has introduced an innovative new way of delivering vital care to people in their own homes.

The Home Care Re-ablement Service is a new approach to home care that proactively helps people ‘to do’ rather than having things done for them.

This intensive service will be provided to people referred from both the community and hospital who need extra care.

The service will work with people at their own pace, to help build up confidence in their ability and will last for a six-week period.

A long-term service will also be available for those with complex needs. This will be flexible and will work closely with community nursing.

Home Care Re-ablement is available to people in their own homes who have been assessed as needing help to get back on their feet after an illness, accident or hospitalisation and need to relearn essential life skills such as washing, dressing and preparing food.

The demand for home care is growing due to the rising number of older people in the population. An increasing number of people prefer to remain in their own home rather than in a care home or hospital.

This new service provides a long-term solution to the growing demand.

By modernising home care and introducing re-ablement, we can ensure we are delivering the right care to those who need it, while maximising their long-term independence, choice and quality of life.

Assessment for the service will not change, nor will the initial care planning.

The new service, which will be piloted in the south east before being rolled out city wide, will help prevent admission to hospital or care homes.