Our Reablement Service acts as a bridge to greater independence, offering support to help you regain lost skills, develop new ones, and adjust to any challenges of living independently. It can help you reach a point where you are able to look after yourself and stay independent in your own home for longer.
People who take part in reablement often see significant physical improvements and enjoy a better quality of life. The service provides short‑term support focused on helping you return to the activities that matter most to you. It is not a long‑term home care service. Reablement is for adults aged 18 and over who are able and willing to work towards improving their independence.
What does reablement involve?
Reablement provides support in your home to help you rebuild confidence with everyday daily living including:
- Personal care
- Dressing
- Undressing
- Support in the bathroom - toileting, bathing, showering
- Continence care
- Support in the kitchen - enabling to make a drink/meal
- Mobility practise or progression
- Medication support
- Using aids and adaptations.
It also focusses on any opportunities for you to access your local community if you have any hobbies and interests you wish to explore.
Reablement staff will meet with you to discuss your needs and agree on the next steps, including who you would like to be involved in your support. The team is skilled in delivering therapeutic activities and identifying any equipment or adaptations that may help you.
When do reablement visit?
Depending on your needs, reablement staff may visit up to 4 times a day - morning, lunch, tea, and evening. Visits are between 8:00am to 10:00pm, 7 days a week. However, the Reablement Service is different from the home care service. There are no set times for visits unless there is a specific requirement for medication.
How long does reablement last?
The Reablement Service offers support for an assessment period which may vary depending on your progress. If you are doing well and managing tasks, the service will come to an end. However, if it appears that you may need longer-term support, we will discuss this with you and make a referral to social care, who will explain the next steps.
How much does it cost?
The service is free while we complete your assessment. Any ongoing support following reablement may incur a fee. For more information on care costs please see our How much will I have to pay web page.
Who can request reablement support?
- Hospital staff may identify reablement to support you when discharged from hospital
- Community health or social care staff may feel a period of reablement would be useful
- You can self-refer through to Wigan Council on-line by completing our Refer someone for an assessment of care and support form or, you can call our Community Adult Front Door Team on 01942 828777.
To share feedback about the Reablement Service, please visit our Adult Social Care - complaints and feedback web page.
Care Quality Commission inspection report
Wigan's Reablement Service was rated 'Outstanding' in the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection on 27th March 2019.
View the latest CQC inspection report (external link).