What is Short Term Care? 6 FAQs About Short Term Rehab

If you will soon be having your first experience with a short term rehab program, chances are good that you have a lot of questions about how it all works. To help you familiarize yourself with this type of care so that you have an idea what to expect, here are 6 frequently asked questions about short term rehab:

What is the purpose of short term rehab?

The chief goal of short term rehab is to help patients make their best recovery and regain the highest possible level of function as quickly and safely as possible. Meeting that goal means providing individualized and comprehensive treatment and therapy via a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation professionals.

What type of therapy and care will be provided?

Short term rehab programs offer physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, as well as round-the-clock medical and personal care by rehabilitation nursing staff. Here at Rehab Select, our patients also have access to physicians and specialists, including pain management professionals, wound care specialists and orthopedic physicians, among others, according to individual needs and treatment plans.

How much time will I have with therapists?

Short term rehabilitation programs offer intensive rehabilitative therapy. In Rehab Select facilities, that means that the typical patient will spend up to three hours with therapists per day, and depending on which of our facilities you use, that therapy time is provided up to 6 or 7 days weekly.

How long will my stay be?

Length of stay varies from one person to another according their individual needs, goals, level of health and functional ability, and the condition that led to the need for rehabilitative care. Some patients may be ready to go home after a week or two, while others may stay longer. That said, the average stay at Rehab Select short term rehabilitation programs is 14 to 16 days. Your care team will be able to provide you with an estimate on your personal length of stay soon after admission, when a thorough evaluation will be done to determine your individual recovery and rehabilitation needs.

Does Medicare cover short term rehab?

Yes, it does, provided certain conditions are met. These include having a doctor's order for rehabilitative services in place and having spent at least three days in the hospital as an inpatient within the last 30 days. Our admissions staff can help you determine whether your stay will be covered under Medicare – or any other insurance, public or private, that you may carry.

Will visitors be welcome?

Yes, visitors are not only welcome; they are encouraged. That's because we know that having the support of family and friends is key to making your best recovery – helping you stay upbeat and motivated as you work towards your rehabilitation goals.