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A function-focused approach in primary care for older people with functional decline: Making the most of reablement
Christopher J Poulos1, Roslyn G Poulos2
1MBBS, MSc, PhD, FAFRM, Head of Research and Aged Care Clinical Services, HammondCare, Sydney, NSW; Conjoint Professor, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. cpoulos@hammond.com.au.
Background:
There is growing international interest in maximising the functional ability of older people.
Objective:
The aim of this article is to discuss 'reablement' and 'restorative care' in the context of providing a function-focused approach in primary care to address the needs of older people with functional decline.
Discussion:
Loss of functional ability can profoundly affect an older person and is often what prompts them to seek healthcare. The emergence of reablement and restorative care is a welcome development in policy. Reablement and restorative care are discussed in relation to current Australian Government-funded programs. These programs increase the availability of multidisciplinary services in community settings and support general practitioners (GPs) to take a comprehensive, 'function-focused' approach to the management of functional decline. GPs are important to identify and refer older people likely to benefit, and they play an essential part in effective program delivery.
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