Reablement in Residential Aged Care - a Randomized Controlled Trail

Reablement's implementation in this study is characterized by a comprehensive assessment of the older person's everyday activities, both current and past. This is done through a person-centered interview using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The COPM is based on the assumptions described in the theoretical framework of CMOP-E. Based on the assessment, the older adult selects a personal activity goal, which consists of an activity they consider meaningful and wish to improve. In collaboration with the older adult and staff, a goal-oriented support plan, also referred to as a training program, is developed to achieve the goal. Nursing assistant staff support the older persons in performing defined training activities and receive supervision from rehabilitation staff. The support plan and progress toward the activity goal are evaluated through regular reassessments during a fixed intervention period of eight weeks.

TAU includes a general approach where all activities that the older adult engages in during everyday life are considered rehabilitative. The staff are encouraged to motivate the older adult to do as much as possible independently, in order to prevent loss of function and maintain the ability to perform activities. The approach does not involve any direction toward specific activities where there is a rehabilitative need. It does not include any formulated goals or follow-up. Additionally, there is no specific education offered to the nursing assistants on how to encourage the older adult or how to follow-up up on the extent to which the approach is applied.