Independence after illness or injury  

Many people can help you to live independently, but sometimes you need a bit more help to regain your confidence, especially if you've been in hospital after an illness or injury.

It could be that you need help physically, emotionally or with practical everyday tasks.

'Reablement'

You may have heard about something called 'reablement.' This basically gives adults the opportunity to regain any skills they've through poor health, disability or having spent a considerable time in hospital or in residential care. Traditional reablement services tend to focus helping people with physical mobility and everyday skills, such as making a cup of tea.

Living Independently Staffordshire is a brand new service from Staffordshire County Council.  It helps people with an injury or illness, or those just needing more confidence to live in their community, to get back on their feet and live independently.

The service puts choice and flexibility at it's heart, giving the person using the service complete control of what they need to maintain their independence at home and in the wider community.  

Support ranges from simple help with medication, relearning how to boil a kettle, finding out about local jobs and social groups, to more intensive support like regaining the ability to walk and talk. Whatever is needed.

It's all about building personal confidence through a flexible approach that gives people more choice and more control over their care. Professionals  tailor the support needed following the wishes of the customer.

The service offers up to 12 weeks of intensive support for people aged 18 and over, which is based on an assessment.  People are referred to the service by the GP, hospital or direct from the community. 

No other service in the country offers a reablement service to people as young as 18.

Do you have any useful advice or experiences that could help others?  Tell the website Editor| or talk to other people|.