Reablement and the philosophy’s goal: paving the way for reablement in the Netherlands using global insights

Population ageing and the rise in chronic conditions call for innovative concepts of care that promote independence and well-being. Reablement is a promising, innovative approach that supports older people in regaining control over their daily lives. This thesis explores the key features of reablement worldwide, revealing that successful programmes commonly involve interdisciplinary teams working collaboratively towards goals set by the clients themselves. These insights were subsequently translated, implemented, and evaluated in the Dutch context. In the Netherlands, interest in reablement is growing, yet a shared understanding is lacking. This led to the development of a Dutch definition of reablement, which, in addition to focusing on independence, places particular emphasis on social connectedness and participation. Initial implementation experiences show that reablement is positively received by clients, informal carers, and professionals. At the same time, challenges were identified, such as the behavioural changes required not only from clients, informal caregivers and professionals but also from organisations. Successful implementation requires alignment with the local context, engaged leadership, and sufficient space for learning and development. Moreover, the structural integration of reablement into routine care practice is highly dependent on supportive policy and appropriate funding.