"Mrs Smith has no rehab potential”: Does rehabilitation have a role in the management of people with dementia?

Abstract

Rehabilitation is a “process aiming to restore personal autonomy in those aspects of daily living considered most relevant by patients, service users and their family carers” [1]. For older people experiencing illness, injury or disability the process of rehabilitation, which may include exercise, enables them to maximise their abilities and potential [2]. However, as demand for healthcare services grows alongside limited resources, clinicians often have to make decisions as to which patients may benefit from rehabilitation. The concept of ‘no rehabilitation potential’ often rears its ugly head in relation to people with dementia but what is it that informs this label, what is the impact and is it justified?