Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG74/5

Question

Reablement:- How effective and cost effective are repeated periods of reablement, and reablement that lasts longer than 6 weeks?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- The evidence that reablement is more effective than home care at improving people's outcomes is based on data from 1 period of reablement. In current practice, people can use reablement repeatedly. There is no evidence on the outcomes and costs for people who use reablement more than once.
In addition, there is no peer-reviewed study that measures the impact of different durations of reablement for different population groups. This is important because in practice, reablement is funded for up to 6 weeks only. However, some people are offered reablement for a period of more than 6 weeks based on their identified needs. At present there is very limited knowledge about the costs and outcomes of reablement as provided to different population groups, and the optimal duration for these groups.
Longitudinal studies of a naturalistic design with a control group are needed to follow up people who have received reablement several times or over a longer period than 6 weeks, or both.
Comparative studies are also needed to understand the long-term impact of duration on costs and patient outcomes, by comparing 6-week reablement services with services that last longer than 6 weeks.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Intermediate care including reablement

Number

NG74

Date issued

September 2017

Other details