Senior Health Is Inpatient Rehabilitation Right for You? 3/5/2025 | By Terri L. Jones After injuries and certain surgeries and medical events, patients may be referred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Seniors Guide writer Terri L. Jones provides an overview of inpatient rehabilitation and what to expect. Bob fell and fractured his shoulder. His family chose to let the 86-year-old’s fracture heal on its own without surgery; however, Bob remained in the hospital for a week, dealing with complications including low blood pressure and heart rate as well as fluid on his lungs. Lying in bed for all that time caused Bob’s legs and his good arm to weaken. Upon his discharge, the hospital discharge planner recommended that Bob go to an inpatient rehabilitation facility to help him regain the strength to walk, feed himself, bathe and dress before returning home. What is an inpatient rehabilitation facility? An inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) provides intensive, comprehensive rehabilitative care and 24-hour medical monitoring to patients who have experienced an injury like Bob’s, surgery such as a joint replacement, or other life-changing medical event, including heart attacks and strokes. This short-term care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, and physical, speech, and occupational therapists. Most patients come directly after a hospital stay, but in some cases, patients are referred from doctors’ offices, emergency room settings, or skilled nursing homes. Inpatient rather than out-patient rehabilitation is appropriate when you are recovering from a significant illness or have other chronic issues that require medical monitoring during your recovery. A stay in an IRF also offers a good transition between hospital and home when you are unable to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) on your own and don’t have someone to support you at home. To be a good candidate for this type of rehabilitation, you must also be able to tolerate an intense level of therapy for several days up to a month. In Bob’s case, his wife had a torn rotator cuff and was limited in how much she could physically assist him. She needed to be sure her husband could get in and out of bed, on and off the toilet, and up and down stairs with minimal support before going home. A busy schedule When you enter rehab, you will be assessed to determine the extent of your injury or illness. Your rehab team will use this assessment, along with information about your individual living situation and support system, to develop a therapy plan to help you return to as close to your normal function as possible as well as to daily activities. Your days in an IRF will be very structured and active. You’ll start your day early with toileting, bathing, and dressing (with assistance if needed) and a nutritious breakfast. Then you’ll begin the work: about three hours of some combination of physical, occupational, and speech (also used for swallowing issues) therapy each day, at least five days a week. Most therapy is conducted individually, but you may participate in group therapy sessions as well. Bob, who was accustomed to a morning nap and a lot of time spent in his recliner, was exhausted on the first day, but he quickly adjusted to the busy schedule. After a week, his wife began to see real progress. Meals, monitoring, and visits You should take comfortable clothing, rubber-soled shoes, pajamas, grooming items, and any corrective devices you use such as hearing aids and glasses. Also bring reading material, games, electronic devices, or whatever else you choose to occupy yourself when you’re not in therapy. The facility will serve you your meals based on your dietary needs and preferences and administer your medications. Your vital signs will be regularly monitored. Family and friends can visit during the IRF’s visiting hours; however, these visits must not conflict with your therapy. Visitors can accompany you to therapy sessions and sometimes even participate in those sessions. If your loved ones will be helping with your care, learning about your therapy can give them the tools to help you grow even stronger once you’re home. Related: Getting Back Your Independence After a Stroke Going home Patients typically remain at IRFs for a duration of four to 30 days. Your case manager will provide you with an estimated discharge date early in your stay, and throughout your time at the facility, your team will regularly assess your progress. If you’re showing little to no improvement, you may be discharged before that estimated date. Before you’re discharged, you and anyone who will be helping you at home will be educated on your care and safety in the home to prevent hospital readmissions. After being discharged from an IRF, you may transition to your home with home health services, including therapy, or if you are not safe to go home, to a skilled nursing facility for additional rehabilitation and care. After 14 days at the rehabilitation facility, Bob went home and continued outpatient physical and occupational therapy there. Months later, with his shoulder fracture healed, Bob returned to most of his normal activities. He’s now focused on staying on his feet and not returning to the IRF anytime soon. More from Seniors Guide about rehabilitation care Read More Terri L. Jones Terri L. Jones has been writing educational and informative topics for the senior industry for over 10 years, and is a frequent and longtime contributor to Seniors Guide.