Assistant nurses' reflections on ASSIST 1.0: Theory-inspired support in reablement

Reablement is a person-centred and goal-oriented intervention delivered by a multi-professional team, including assistant nurses, and aimed at strengthening older adults' participation in activities of daily life. However, reablement programs often lack theoretical grounding.

To explore how assistant nurses experience and reflect on their work processes and collaboration with an occupational therapist within the ASSIST 1.0 reablement program.

This qualitative study is based on interviews with three assistant nurses conducted on three occasions over one year. The nine semi-structured interviews were interpreted using reflexive thematic analysis.

Through the analysis one main theme was constructed: Supported learning and reflecting enhances understanding of reablement, and three subthemes: Gaining new perspectives by reflecting with an occupational therapist; Recognizing the importance of person-centred goal-setting; Learning reablement with everyday examples. The themes illustrate how the assistant nurses made sense of their experiences within the ASSIST 1.0 reablement program.

Through engagement with the program, staff described internalizing key concepts of the ASSIST 1.0 reablement program and shifting towards more person-centred, occupation-focused, and goal-oriented approaches. Hence, theory-informed reablement programs embedded in everyday practice can develop staff's understanding and application of reablement principles.