What are my rehabilitation choices?
For each day that a person is hospitalized, it may take 2 to 3 weeks to fully recover. Physical therapy helps people get stronger and recover faster. A physical therapist may evaluate you while you are in the hospital to determine what setting would be the best for your recovery:
| Type of physical therapy | Where does it take place? |
|---|---|
| Outpatient physical therapy | Outpatient gym |
| Home-based physical therapy | In your home |
| Acute rehabilitation | A rehabilitation hospital |
| Sub-acute rehabilitation | Nursing home or skilled nursing facility |
How do outpatient and home-based physical therapy differ?
If you return home directly from the hospital, you may be given the choice between Outpatient Physical Therapy and Home-Based Physical Therapy. Remember, you will be recovering from a hospitalization and may still be feeling sick or very weak. You may not be able to drive and may need help getting places.
| Outpatient physical therapy | Home-based physical therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Where is it done? | At a gym | In your home |
| How do I get there? | You may need to drive or get transportation. | The therapist comes to your home. |
| What type of equipment is used? | Treadmills, exercise bikes, balls, weights, and more. | Smaller equipment that can be brought to your home. |
| On average, how often does it occur? | 2–3 times a week for 1 hour sessions. | 2–3 times a week for 1 hour sessions. |
| Does Medicare pay for it? | Yes — if you qualify. | Yes — if you qualify. |
Outpatient Physical Therapy
If you are able to leave your home, outpatient physical therapy may be a choice for you. Usually it is done at a gym. You will work with a therapist 2-3 times a week for 1 hour a visit. Visits can be scheduled around your availability. Usually, this therapy is done at a gym with equipment, such as treadmills, exercise bicycles, or weights.
Home Based Physical Therapy
If you are unable to leave your home, a therapist can come to your home twice a week for 1 hour sessions. The therapist may use equipment such as light hand weights, elastic bands, or exercise balls to use in your home.
What if I’m not ready to return home?
After a hospitalization, if your doctor does not think you are ready to return home, you may be sent to either Acute Rehabilitation or Sub-Acute Rehabilitation. The most important difference between these two types of rehabilitation is the amount of time you can tolerate doing therapy.
| Acute rehabilitation | Sub-acute rehabilitation | |
|---|---|---|
| Where is it done? | Rehabilitation Hospital | Skilled Nursing Facility / Nursing Home |
| Do I stay overnight? | Yes | Yes |
| What type of equipment is used? | Treadmills, exercise bikes, balls, weights, and more. | Treadmills, exercise bikes, balls, weights, and more. |
| On average, how often does it occur? | Daily — 1 hour sessions for 3–5 hours a day. | Daily — 1 hour sessions for 1–3 hours a day. |
| Does Medicare pay for it? | Yes — if you qualify. | Yes — if you qualify. |
Subacute Rehabilitation
Subacute rehab usually takes place at a nursing home or skilled nursing facility (nicknamed “SNF” – pronounced sniff). Therapy lasts 1–3 hours a day. It is temporary. You can stay for a day or for 3 months. It depends on how weak you are. It is often covered by Medicare.
Acute Rehabilitation
If you need more therapy before you return home, acute rehabilitation may be right for you. Acute Rehabilitation usually takes place at a hospital that specializes in rehabilitation. Therapy is more intense and you must be strong enough to qualify.
What choices can I make now?
You can choose where you would like to receive therapy, if the need should arise. When you leave the hospital, you may be given a list of nearby facilities and asked to pick a skilled nursing facility (SNF). When you are sick in bed, this choice can be difficult to make. By considering your choices now, you will have a voice in your future care. To help you make informed decisions, Medicare keeps a list of all SNFs and assigns ratings from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) stars. To visit that website, click here.
If I need subacute rehabilitation in a SNF, I would like to go to: