Reablement (goal-directed, time-limited interventions that support older individuals in regaining or maintaining independence) and ageing well initiatives offer transformative potential for older people living in Australia and accessing aged care services as they age. 

This briefing paper explains why reablement and ageing well strategies should be integrated with aged care reforms. It uses recent Australian peer-reviewed evidence to support implementation advice and discusses the limitations of this approach for people living with disability and dementia. Despite policy alignment, there are a range of issues impacting the widespread implementation of reablement approaches. The paper identifies recommendations to support reform and policy responses.

The aged care reform agenda emphasises a shift from passive, dependency-based services to proactive, person-centred models. Reablement aligns with this direction and features prominently in the Aged Care Act 2024, the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, as well as state-based ageing well strategies. 

As the aged care reform agenda progresses post the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, there is a pivotal opportunity to enhance and expand reablement approaches and ageing well initiatives across the lifespan, with particular emphasis for people aged 50 years and older. With coordinated investment in workforce, data and integrated models, these approaches can support people to age with dignity, autonomy and improved wellbeing, regardless of their functional status or background.