Regaining Confidence at Home with Short Term Support

When someone has been unwell or had surgery, simple everyday tasks can feel difficult or unsafe. Optalis STS&R service, also known as reablement, is all about helping people rebuild confidence and stay independent. Sebastian recently shared his story about how our team helped him do exactly that.

After elbow surgery, Sebastian was at risk of falling and unsure how to manage safely at home. Within a short time, two members of our team arrived, Naresh, a physiotherapist, and Nicky, an occupational therapist. What made their support so valuable was not only their skills, but the way they worked together with Sebastian, focusing on what would make a difference straight away.

From the moment they stepped through the door, they looked not just at the home, but at how Sebastian used his home day to day. Instead of writing notes and returning later, they acted there and then. Their shared approach was practical and problem solving.

Sebastian said “Naresh assessed my shower cubicle and immediately recognised that the sliding door system was unsafe. The entry gap was so narrow that I was forced to enter sideways — a high-risk manoeuvre given my balance and fall history. Rather than accepting this as a fixed constraint, he simply asked permission to remove the doors. He then suggested a straightforward alternative: hooks and a shower curtain…The improvement was immediate and measurable.”

At the same time, Nicky was working with Sebastian to think about how the rest of the home flowed. They talked through how each room was used, identifying that the kitchen was still too difficult to access with a wheelchair. By discussing ideas together, a simple but effective solution emerged. Naresh and another team member moved the fridge, which opened up the kitchen. Sebastian reflected “It matters because approximately 98% of my falls had occurred in the kitchen. Removing obstacles and making the space fully wheelchair-accessible effectively eliminated that risk.”

The team also arranged for grab rails to be fitted in the bathroom. These were installed straight away, giving Sebastian secure support exactly where it was needed. During a later visit, they also replaced an unsuitable toilet seat with a safer, more comfortable height adjuster.

What stands out is how every change made Sebastian feel safer immediately. Nothing was put off for later. Nothing was treated as too small to matter. Naresh and Nicky worked alongside Sebastian, shared ideas and helped turn his home back into a place where he could move around with confidence.

Sebastian reflected: “I really cannot think of anything else that could have been done differently or better. I hope they continue to be as effective for future people in need of their service.”