Reablement: encouraging and maintaining independence

Did you know that supporting someone to do things for themselves instead of doing it for them can boost their confidence, maintain dignity, and improve their overall wellbeing? That’s the power of reablement.

In this episode, Dr Claire O’Connor joins Yashi to explore how reablement supports older adults to maintain or regain their independence through meaningful, everyday tasks.

Dr Claire O'Connor is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Psychology, UNSW, a Conjoint Senior Research Fellow with NeuRA, Honorary Senior Research Fellow with HammondCare, and is also a registered occupational therapist. Claire leads a program of research focused on the translation and implementation of non-pharmacological interventions to improve dementia practice, focusing on reablement/rehabilitation, and maximising functioning, engagement and wellbeing in people living with dementia and their informal supporters. Combining her clinical training in occupational therapy and research skills, Claire is passionate about contributing to research that is meaningful to ageing populations and people impacted by dementia.

Tune in to learn about:

• What reablement really means and how it differs from traditional care
• Why promoting independence helps both physical and mental health
• Practical, everyday strategies for carers, families, and teams
• How to balance safety, support, and autonomy
• The long-term impact of reablement on confidence and quality of life

Whether you work in aged care, home care, or support someone living with dementia or physical decline, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped.

Click on the Links below to learn more about what we discussed in this episode 

·         2025 World Alzheimer’s Report: https://www.alzint.org/resource/world-alzheimer-report-2025/

·         Freely available evidence-informed dementia reablement resources: www.hammond.com.au/reablement  

·        DTA dementia rehabilitation e-course: https://dta.com.au/online-courses/introduction-to-dementia-rehabilitation/