What is the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of at-home time-limited reablement service for improving an individual’s independence and health outcomes and reducing the need for long term care: a rapid review

Reablement services help people regain or maintain their independence and confidence, which can avoid going into care or hospital after a period of illness or treatment. Local authorities and health services in Wales deliver reablement services, to help people at risk of becoming frail and improve their quality of life. However, social care funding challenges have reduced the amount of funding that is available for reablement services. 

The aim of this review was to identify any published evidence about the impact and cost-effectiveness of at-home reablement services for improving people’s health and independence, and reduce the need for relying on long term care. This information will be helpful to inform Welsh Government about the provisions for reablement services in Wales

A rapid review of published information was carried out to identify any evidence on reablement interventions which could be useful and cost effective to improve or maintain the individual’s independence and avoid them from going into care or hospital.  Review of relevant evidence published until December 2024 was carried out which identified 18 studies for further analysis. 

Existing published information showed that there was a significant amount of evidence about the effectiveness of reablement interventions to improve the ability of people to live independently, and their quality of life. Reablement interventions may also be effective in improving outcomes from falls, reduce the risk of death, and improve people confidence in coping with stress and challenges (sense of coherence). International evidence indicated that reablement was effective in improving people’s ability to undertake daily living activities and increase their mobility.

There was also significant evidence on the effectiveness of reablement interventions had on services. Reablement services does reduce the need for long term home care services and effectively reduced numbers of people going into residential care. However, there were also some inconsistent findings around the effectiveness of reablement.

In terms of the cost-effectiveness of reablement services., there was evidence that reablement services were cost-effective compared to standard at-home care. However, there were some uncertainties about the research methods used, which limits these findings. 

In summary, it appears that there is evidence to show that reablement interventions are effective for improving individual’s independence in increasing their mobility and carry out everyday activities of daily living. Reablement may also be cost effective. The review highlighted there is a need for further good quality research to be undertaken in this area.

Lay Summary Author: Rashmi Kumar, Public Partnership Group Member

To read the full report, click here.