What Does ‘Reablement’ Mean for People Living With Dementia?
- amycourtspooner
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
We hear the term ‘reablement pathway’ a lot these days in the Health & Social Care stratosphere. Increasingly often, it's used to describe a pathway of treatment, care and support that enables someone to return to living in their own home following a hospital stay. It's also a way of avoiding people being admitted to general hospitals or residential care homes during a period of crisis.
However, as many of my Occupational Therapy friends and colleagues will attest, the concept of reablement is nothing new and much broader than avoiding unnecessary hospital or residential care admissions.
For people living with dementia, reablement is about:
Maintaining existing functional abilities for as long as possible
Improving functional abilities where possible
Slowing the progression of decline in functional ability
It often involves interventions (not my favourite word!) that support an individual's specific goals or desired outcome to adapt to some functional loss and/or regain confidence and capacity to resume taking part in their usual activities.
In reality, what “interventions” would provide effective reablement for people living with Dementia? Bartle & Behrens (2017) suggest:
Reflecting on reablement really highlights why the work we do each day at The Filo Project matters so much. Our group settings are non-stigmatising and supportive, helping people feel at ease and comfortable - the starting point for good and lasting outcomes:
At The Filo Project, the focus is on what people can do – a strength-based approach.
Care is done with, not to, supporting people to stay involved in daily activities.
Many clients flourish, with noticeable improvements in wellbeing and symptoms.
Small groups create a warm, friendly space where everyone feels welcome and connected.
Sessions aren’t fixed – they flow naturally, shaped by each group’s preferences and personalities.
Socialising is our key ingredient – peer support, shared meals, and time together make all the difference.
Our skilled hosts gently help clients feel part of the group in ways that suit them.
Our organisation’s core focus is about supporting people to find hope, purpose and meaning.
Clients' families report improvements in their loved ones’ well-being, increased motivation, improved appetite and being more relaxed after a Filo day. Clients are with us for an average of two years, delaying the need for them to be admitted to residential care and easing hospital admissions and discharges.
Families are also able to enjoy regular and extended respite. They are also supported emotionally by our Filo Family Support Service.
'My heartfelt thanks for all you have done for my Mum and to support me over the past couple of years. Without it there’s absolutely no doubt she would not have been able to extend her independent lifestyle for as long as she has, and I know she’s really enjoyed being “out with her friends” whenever she’s been on her days away.' - Step-son of Filo Group Member
People with dementia often end up in hospital or a care home during a crisis, and it’s not always what’s best for them, nor is it the most effective way to use health and care services. While this is often seen as a result of limited community-based alternatives, I believe the real issue lies in the lack of support and resourcing for the options that do exist. It may be that we're directing our already stretched resources to the wrong places.
We have the opportunity to make better use of the resources that already exist within our communities to provide a real and effective ‘Reablement Pathway’ for people with Dementia (and for people at different stages of their journey). What we need is the right coalescing and coordination of this for people to be able to access the support they want and need.
If you’re interested in continuing the conversation, please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or get in touch via email. I’d welcome the opportunity to share ideas and perspectives.
By Jude Pinder
COO, The Filo Project
