In home care, it is often faster and easier for a support worker to complete a task for an older person rather than take the extra time to guide them through it. Whether it is preparing meals, folding laundry, or watering the plants, “doing for” can feel like the practical choice when staff are time poor and workloads are heavy.
But this well-meaning shortcut comes with hidden costs. When everyday tasks are routinely taken over, a person’s confidence, independence and physical ability can decline more quickly. For providers, this creates greater demand for support in the long run, stretching already limited resources. For clients, it means a gradual loss of dignity, motivation and quality of life.
The alternative is “doing with,” supporting older people to continue using the skills they already have, encouraging them to participate in daily routines, and focusing on independence as much as comfort. Research shows this approach, often described as wellness and reablement, improves outcomes, reduces preventable decline, and helps older people remain at home and active in their communities.
Despite its benefits, home care providers often face barriers when trying to embed wellness and reablement in practice. Staff are already under pressure, and with new reforms and compliance requirements, the idea of adding another responsibility can feel overwhelming.
Many caregivers say they want to deliver more reablement-focused care but lack the resources, training or confidence to put it into practice.
This is where Keep Able steps in.
Funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Keep Able is the only free, dedicated wellness and reablement hub designed specifically for aged care workers and providers. Built by sector experts and guided by real-world experience, Keep Able provides everything needed to shift from “doing for” to “doing with” without adding to an already full workload.
The hub is practical, evidence-based and easy to use. From e-learning modules to ready-made templates, Keep Able resources are designed to slot seamlessly into existing routines, helping support workers feel confident and capable in applying wellness and reablement principles.
Practical resources
Guides, tip sheets, and care planning materials simplify wellness and reablement for staff and clients alike. Templates for assistive technology and care plans save time for busy workers so they can focus on the people they care for, not paperwork.
Free e-learning modules
Covering a wide range of topics, these self-paced courses give staff the chance to deepen their understanding of wellness and reablement without the cost of formal training.
Professional development resources
Short, skill-focused learning sessions make it easy to build staff capability during team meetings. Developed by experts, these sessions provide real-world strategies that can be applied immediately.
Tailored presentations
The Keep Able team offers free, personalised workplace presentations on wellness and reablement, helping organisations align with best practice while supporting staff confidence.
Annual forums and conferences
Each year, Keep Able hosts a free online conference that brings together sector leaders and frontline workers to share insights and tools. The latest forum, Reablement in Reality, featured practical strategies on overcoming barriers, effective goal setting and using assistive technology in diverse communities.
Real-life examples
Podcasts and videos showcase aged care professionals putting wellness and reablement into action, providing inspiration and proof that small changes really do make a big difference.
For providers, engaging with Keep Able is about more than professional development. It is about future-proofing services and aligning with the direction of aged care reform.
The new Aged Care Act emphasises independence, dignity and quality of life, with wellness and reablement at the core. Keep Able helps providers meet these expectations without reinventing the wheel.
Staff who use Keep Able report greater confidence in supporting clients to stay independent, while managers see improvements in care planning, efficiency and client outcomes.
The result is a more sustainable model of care where resources are used effectively, staff feel supported, and clients remain active and engaged for longer.
The most powerful thing about Keep Able is that it turns a simple but often overlooked shift in mindset into practical, everyday practice. Instead of stepping in to take over, support workers are shown how to involve clients in ways that match their strengths and goals.
It might be helping someone continue making a cup of tea, encouraging them to hang the washing, or guiding them to join a community group again. These small acts protect independence, build confidence and remind older people that they still have an important role to play in their own lives.
For providers, this translates into clients who remain healthier, more resilient and more engaged, reducing the long-term pressure on services.
The aged care sector is constantly evolving, but the focus on wellness and reablement is here to stay. By embracing “doing with” rather than “doing for,” providers can deliver care that truly empowers older people while also easing the strain on staff and services.
Keep Able makes this possible. With free, practical resources available at your fingertips, providers and support workers can feel confident in embedding wellness and reablement every day.
Start exploring Keep Able’s free resources today and help your clients live healthier, more independent lives. Visit keepable.com.au.
