The jigsaw puzzle of activities for mastering daily life; service recipients and professionals’ perceptions of gains and changes attributed to reablement—A qualitative meta-synthesis

Background: Reablement services are intended to make a difference in the daily lives of older adults. Outcomes are often described in terms of independence, improving quality of life, improving ADL functioning, or reducing services. However, little is known if the older adults or next-of-kin experience these outcomes when talking about participating in reablement services. Aim: This study aims to explore how older adults, next-of-kin, and professionals narrate the reablement recipients’ possible outcomes as gains and changes in everyday life during and after the reablement period. Materials and methods: This meta-synthesis included 13 studies. Data were analyzed with a meta-ethnographic approach, searching for overarching metaphors, in three stages. Results: The metaphor ‘the jigsaw puzzle of activities for mastering daily life again’ illustrates that re-assembling everyday life after reablement is not a straightforward process of gains and changes but includes several daily activities that must be organized and fit together. To obtain a deeper understanding of the participants’ gains, and changes after reablement, we use the theoretical framework of ‘doing, being, becoming, and belonging’. Conclusion: The findings indicate the complexity of reablement services as well as the need for a holistic approach. Significance: Outcome measures should be meaningful for reablement recipients.