Rehabilitation Centers: Guide to Rehabilitative Care for Older Adults

As we age, recovering from medical events like surgeries, illnesses, or injuries may require more than just a hospital stay. 

Rehabilitative care offers just that: short-term care and support designed to help older adults regain strength, mobility, and independence after a medical event. 

Whether you're recovering from a stroke, joint replacement, or a serious illness, rehab can help anyone transition safely back into everyday life. 

In this article, we'll explain rehabilitative care, how it's different from nursing home care, how much it costs, and how to cover it. We'll also explore what rehab care looks like, from outpatient home health programs to inpatient rehabilitation centers. 

What Is Rehabilitative Care for Older Adults?

Rehabilitation care is specialized post-hospital care that aims to help individuals recover from surgery, accidents, illnesses, or injuries or cope with chronic conditions.

It's common for older adults to need more care and time to recover than most hospital stays provide. Rehab care fills the gap between hospital care and daily life and helps seniors transition smoothly back home or to a long-term care facility.  

Rehab isn’t just for older adults, some younger adults with certain health issues or physical needs may need rehab to recover as well. However, for the purposes of this article, the focus will be rehabilitative care for seniors and older adults. 

Rehabilitation programs help seniors relearn how to use their muscles and strengthen their bodies. These programs involve various types of therapies and temporary assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed.

In this article, we'll focus solely on rehabilitative care for the elderly. Alternative names for senior rehabilitation include:

• Geriatric rehabilitation

• Inpatient rehab facility (IRF)

• Acute care rehabilitation center

• Rehabilitation hospital

• Post-hospital rehabilitation

This article does not cover rehab for drug addiction or substance abuse.

Why Would Someone Need Rehabilitation Care?

There are many reasons why someone might need rehabilitative care. Older adults often need it after a hospital stay or a major medical event.

When we think of accidents or injuries, we often assume that hospitals handle the entire recovery. However, much of the recovery process actually takes place after leaving the hospital.

Rehabilitation centers and programs play a crucial role in helping individuals regain strength, relearn movements, and recover in a healthy way.

Rehabilitative care can ease pain, enhance emotional well-being, and support older adults as they transition back home or to a long-term care setting like an assisted living facility.

However, rehabilitation isn't just for those recovering from hospitalization. Some individuals may need it to manage a chronic condition or recover from an injury that didn’t require a hospital stay.

Common injuries, issues, and conditions that may lead to rehab care include:

• Joint and mobility problems, including arthritis or joint or hip replacements.

• Strokes or other cognitive impairment events.

• Severe infections, illnesses, or diseases such as pneumonia.

• Broken bones or fractures.

• Degenerative diseases like Parkinson's Disease.

• Debilitating diagnoses like cancer.

• Heart conditions and medical events such as a heart attack or cardiovascular disease.

What’s the Difference Between a Nursing Home and a Rehabilitation Center?

Many people wonder what the difference is between a rehabilitation center and a nursing home. Even though they offer similar services, these facilities serve vastly different purposes. Below, we'll compare and contrast these two types of care. 

Types of Rehabilitative Care

Rehabilitation care is very personalized and looks different for everyone, depending on their health conditions. However, most rehab care involves a combination of medical assistance, therapies, and help with activities of daily living.

There are three common types of rehabilitative therapies:

• Physical therapy can help individuals regain strength and recover from serious injuries or medical events. This type of therapy focuses on pain management, strength building, and teaching individuals how to move their bodies to alleviate pain and help rebuild muscle after a serious medical event.

• Occupational therapy can help individuals relearn how to complete daily activities. For example, individuals may learn how to use adaptive equipment or relearn fine motor skills after an injury, stroke, or surgery.

• Speech therapy, also known as speech-language pathology, can help individuals with communication, swallowing, chewing, or other cognitive ailments. The purpose of speech therapy is to help individuals regain communicative confidence and relearn vocal or mouth muscle movements after serious medical events.

Not all patients will need or receive all of these therapies. Instead, you'll work with specialists and doctors who can help you make informed decisions about what type of care you need.

For example, if you suffered from a stroke and had trouble speaking, you would receive speech therapy. In this circumstance, physical therapy might not be needed if all of your symptoms are cognitively related.

On the contrary, if you suffer from a bad fall, you may need physical therapy to help regain strength from your injuries. You may also need occupational therapy to help you relearn how to do daily activities with your injuries in mind. 

Rehabilitation isn't solely for recovering from dramatic health events. For example, when older adults face hospitalizations due to urinary tract infections (UTIs), rehabilitation plays a crucial role in restoring their strength and independence.

UTIs are among the most common infections in older adults, often leading to hospital admissions. A hospitalization for something as common as a UTI can lead to muscle weakness and reduced mobility, leading to a need for rehabilitative care. 

Each person in rehab care has an individualized care plan based on their rehabilitative goals, medical care or therapy needs, and discharge plan. These aspects will impact the type of rehabilitative care one receives and for how long one receives it.

Inpatient Rehabilitation vs. Outpatient Rehabilitation 

Rehabilitation care happens in two types of settings: inpatient, where an individual lives in a facility with an intensive rehab program, and outpatient, where an individual receives regular rehabilitative care while living at home or in another long-term care facility like assisted living.

Generally speaking, inpatient rehab care is provided in a

• Skilled nursing facility (SNF)

• Rehabilitation center or rehabilitation hospital

• Inpatient rehab facility (IRF) 

Outpatient rehab care can be provided in a number of settings, including:

• Designed wing of a hospital, assisted living facility, or other long-term care facility

• Therapy clinics, centers, or offices

• Senior community centers or wellness centers

• At-home, if a therapist does home visits

• Outpatient rehab facility (ORF)

Whether someone needs outpatient or inpatient care depends entirely on their needs. Your doctor will also recommend the option they think is best for your circumstances.

If you're recovering from an intense hospital stay or medical event, and in need of 24-hour care and support, an inpatient program may be beneficial.

If you're recovering from a minor medical event and just need help rebuilding strength, then an outpatient program may work better.

Outpatient programs also typically last longer than inpatient programs, as it takes time to rebuild strength and regain skills.

Some individuals may need inpatient care directly after their hospital stay and then transition to an outpatient program to continue rehabilitative care. The schedule and intensity of care depend entirely on your needs, preferences, budget, and rehab progress. 

Long-Term vs. Short-Term Care

Generally, rehabilitative care happens on a short-term basis. The purpose of rehabilitation services is to help individuals recover from a hospital stay or serious medical event. Rehab is not intended to be a long-term living or care solution; however, it can be a part of a long-term care plan. 

However, some individuals need rehab care for extended periods of time, especially those suffering from more intensive care needs and conditions. 

In these cases, individuals may start in inpatient programs to help balance the most intensive of their conditions and transition to outpatient care, attending therapy appointments as needed until they make a full recovery. 

Most inpatient programs last from a few days to 30 days. It's relatively rare for inpatient rehab care to last longer than 30 to 60 days. Outpatient rehab is a little more flexible; it can happen anywhere from a few weeks to several months. 

The length of outpatient programs varies greatly depending on your needs and how often you receive care. Some individuals may only receive care once a week because of that slow schedule; outpatient care may happen on a long-term basis compared to someone who receives care multiple times a week. 

How Much Does Senior Rehabilitation Cost?

It’s difficult to report an average or median cost of rehabilitative care since the setting and services needed vary so drastically based on an individual’s needs.

Some individuals receiving outpatient care may only need help two or three times a week, while others may need inpatient treatment every day.

In addition to the differences in schedule, there’s also a difference in type of care. Someone receiving intensive speech and occupational therapies may pay more than someone who only needs physical therapy. 

Inpatient rehabilitation can cost anywhere from $850 to $2,500 per day. However, inpatient rehab care taking place at a skilled nursing home may be more affordable, at $65 to $350 per day.

Outpatient rehabilitation programs can cost anywhere from $1,000–$5,000 per month.

However, some outpatient programs go by the specific session cost since most outpatient rehab care involves various types of therapy. 

• Physical therapy could cost between $50-$150 per session.

• Occupational therapy could cost between $100-$200 per session.

• Speech therapy could cost between $100-$250 per session.

Again, costs vary greatly depending on how intensive your care needs are, how long you need care, and the facility or setting you choose.

Someone who lives in a high-cost of living area with high demand for services, who chooses a luxury provider or facility will pay far more than someone who lives in a lower cost area who’s choosing a budget-friendly option.

Insurance availability will also impact costs. The estimates above are the costs of care without insurance. Below, we'll cover how insurance changes the costs and how you can get coverage. 

Does Insurance Cover Rehab for Older Adults?

Senior rehabilitation care is covered by many types of insurance and health care programs, including:

• Traditional health insurance 

• Long-Term Care Insurance

• Veteran Affairs  

• Medicaid

• Medicare

Covering Rehabilitation with Traditional Health Insurance

Most traditional, employer-sponsored, or private health insurance plans cover short-term stays and programs for rehabilitative care when required by a doctor.

Most rehabilitative care involves skilled services and various types of therapy. Since care is not personal or custodial in nature, most regular health insurance plans cover it.

However, it's important to check with your policy and provider to confirm if care is actually covered or not. Some plans may cover shorter amounts of time than others.

Covering Rehabilitation with Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-Term Care Insurance covers personal and custodial care for older adults. This care involves helping with activities of daily life like bathing, eating, or dressing or preventing falls and other injuries if there is a need for supervision due to cognitive decline.

Even though the focus of Long-Term Care Insurance is on custodial care, most policies cover rehabilitative services.

Often, rehab and long-term care go hand in hand, as older adults recovering from a major medical event will more often than not need help in their daily lives outside of the post-surgical or therapeutic services they receive.

Covering Rehabilitation with Veteran Affairs

Veterans Affairs coverage can vary depending on what you do and don't qualify for, but if your doctor recommends post-medical event rehabilitation or therapy, Veterans Affairs will cover it.

According to the VA's official explanation of benefits site, Veteran Affairs covers rehabilitation services, physical therapy, vision therapy, and traumatic brain injury therapy.

However, it is very important to discuss your options with a VA representative before pursuing rehabilitative care. Some facilities or providers may be out of network, and a professional can help you find care that the VA covers. 

Covering Rehabilitation with TRICARE & TRICARE For Life (TFL)

TRICARE is a healthcare program for active-duty and retired military personnel and their eligible family members. This program covers a variety of medical needs, including rehabilitation services.

One of the key plans, TRICARE For Life (TFL), is for TRICARE beneficiaries who are also eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B. TFL serves as a supplement to Medicare, ensuring that those with dual eligibility receive comprehensive coverage.

Both TRICARE and TFL can help cover rehabilitation services; however, coverage is dependent on medical necessity. These plans can help pay for:

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Speech therapy

• Skilled nursing facility stays

Additionally, TRICARE will cover the entire cost of any care due to a service-related injury.

If you have questions about your coverage, it's recommended that you reach out to a TRICARE representative. 

Covering Rehabilitation with Medicaid and Medicare

Medicaid can cover the entire cost of rehabilitation treatment. Unlike some other types of insurance, Medicaid covers both help with personal care needs and skilled care. 

Not everyone qualifies for Medicaid. Only those with limited assets and income can qualify, and the ability to qualify varies by state. Individuals who rely on Medicaid may also be subject to estate recovery, which happens when Medicaid claims the care recipient's estate after they pass away to repay the cost of care.

Medicare also covers rehabilitative services, but coverage is a little more complex. In the next section, we'll explore how Medicare covers both inpatient and outpatient senior rehabilitative care. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Coverage of Post-Hospital Rehab

One of the most commonly asked questions about senior rehabilitation is if Medicare covers it. Luckily, Medicare covers both inpatient and outpatient senior rehabilitation, but coverage is nuanced. 

Below, we'll answer a few frequently asked questions about Medicare coverage of senior rehabilitation. 

Does Medicare Cover Inpatient Rehabilitation for Seniors?

Yes, Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers medically necessary inpatient rehabilitation services and care. However, you must meet certain requirements to qualify.

Your doctor must confirm that you have a qualifying medical condition and the following:

• You need intensive therapeutic or rehabilitative intervention to recover.

• You need continuous medical supervision for your condition.

• You require coordinated care between doctors, therapists, and other medical professionals that can only occur in a controlled therapeutic environment.

After you meet Medicare requirements, you can receive care throughout the entirety of your benefit period. A Medicare benefit period begins on the day you start receiving care and ends 60 days after your last care day.

Medicare will cover a majority of the services used for rehabilitative care, including:

• Therapeutic services such as physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy.

• Meal services

• Skilled nursing services such as wound care or injections

• Prescription drugs and medication management

• Basic hospital services and supplies

• Semi-private room (private room covered if deemed medically necessary)

Medicare doesn't cover everything, though. For example, if you want a private room (that's not medically necessary), you'll pay extra for it. Personal items like clothing or entertainment are not covered either.

Just like regular health insurance, there are deductibles for Medicare:

• Deductible per benefit period: $1,676

• Days 1-60: $0 out of pocket

• Days 61-90: $419 per day

• Days 91-150: $838 per day while using your 60 "lifetime reserve days."

• After day 150 and using all lifetime reserve days: The patient is responsible for the full cost.

These are the costs of an inpatient rehab center through Medicare per benefit period. There is no limit on how many benefit periods you can have; however, you'll have to pay a deductible for each new benefit period.

Medicare costs depend on government spending and may change annually. These numbers are updated to reflect the cost of Medicare in 2025. 

Does Medicare Cover Outpatient Rehabilitation for Seniors?

Yes, Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Medicare Part B works a little differently than Medicare Part A. For example, in Part B, you pay a deductible once a year instead of once per benefit period.

In 2025, the annual Medicare Part B deductible is $257.

After you pay the yearly deductible, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of the Medicare-approved costs. You're responsible for a 20% coinsurance fee for your care services.

For example, if Medicare approved you for $2,000 for therapy services, Medicare would pay 80% of it, or $1,600, leaving you to cover the remaining 20% of care costs, or $400.

You can receive outpatient rehabilitation services in many settings, including:

• A hospital outpatient program or facility

• Skilled nursing facilities

• Rehab centers

• Private therapy office or center

• Home health

How Long Can A Person Get Rehabilitative Care with Medicare?

For inpatient care, Medicare covers at a maximum up to 150 days of inpatient rehabilitation per benefit period. However, without using the lifetime reserve days, Medicare covers only 90 days of care. 

Luckily, most people don’t need inpatient rehabilitative care for that long. It’s common to transition to outpatient care within a few days to 30 days, and inpatient care is unlikely to continue beyond 30 to 60 days.

For outpatient care, Medicare does not set a strict limit on the number of therapy sessions covered. Instead, coverage is based on medical necessity. Therapists and doctors must prove that ongoing therapy is essential for recovery. 

Can Medicare Advantage Plans Offer Better Rehab Coverage Than Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage Plans, or Medicare Part C, can offer lower deductibles and additional benefits to Original Medicare. Medicare Part C is private Medicare-approved insurance coverage, meaning every policy is different. 

Some people may have lower deductibles or lower copays. Others may have access to longer stays or additional services like transportation or reduced medical equipment costs. 

Every plan is different, so while Medicare Advantage Plans can offer more benefits than Original Medicare, it's not necessarily guaranteed. In addition, Medicare Advantage usually requires you to use pre-approved providers within a tight network.

How To Choose the Best Rehabilitation Center 

Choosing the best rehabilitation center is crucial for a successful recovery. Unfortunately, you have to find a rehab facility sooner rather than later; as soon as your or your loved one's hospital stay begins, you should start considering rehab options, as it can take time to find one that fits all your needs.

Here are a few things to consider during your search:

• Medicare or Medicaid certification: If you're planning on using Medicare or Medicaid to cover the cost of rehabilitation, it's important to find an approved facility. Not every facility will accept Medicare or Medicaid.

• Staff qualifications and presence: You want the best care possible; rehab centers have stringent staffing requirements, but it's always nice to know that your facility is going above and beyond with plenty of staff on duty at all times and staff members with specific specializations.

• Family involvement and visitation policies: Recovering from a surgery or medical event involves not only care but emotional support. It's essential to choose a facility that prioritizes the involvement of family members during the recovery process.

• Reputation and reviews: Talk to current residents and staff about how they feel about the facility. Do they seem happy and engaged? It can also help to read online reviews from people who have worked or stayed at the facility; this can help you get a feel for any existing problems and the general demeanor of the facility.

If you're in need of a rehab facility close to home or your loved ones, you can use LTC News's Long-Term Care Care Directory search tool. Our tool lets you search through thousands of care providers so you can find a high-quality rehab facility or other long-term care provider close to home.

Recovery Through Post-Hospital Rehabilitation

Post-surgery rehabilitation is an essential part of the healing process for elderly adults. Rehabilitative services can help seniors regain strength, fine motor skills, and independence and improve their overall quality of life.

Rehabilitation can happen in various settings, including a facility, an outpatient program at a local therapy clinic, or even at home. The length and type of rehabilitative services you receive depend entirely on your medical needs; everyone has an individualized plan of care.

Rehab services are covered under many types of insurance, meaning getting these services is usually relatively easy and affordable. Most notably, Medicare covers the cost of both inpatient and outpatient rehab.

Often, after rehab services end, older adults may need ongoing support for long-term care needs like help with activities of daily living. Long-Term Care Insurance can help cover the cost of these services and rehab services.

You can learn more about different types of long-term care and who might need them in our other articles below:

• What Is Long-Term Care? – Long-term care involves helping with activities of daily living or personal care needs. This can include help dressing, eating, transitioning, grooming, or completing basic housekeeping tasks like cooking or cleaning. In this article, we'll cover what long-term care is, why someone may need it, and how to find care that works best for you.

• What Are the Consequences of Not Planning for Long-Term Care? – Major medical events can serve as a wake-up call for those who didn't plan for future health needs. Often, after diagnosis or accidents, older adults need long-term care, such as help walking, dressing, or completing other living activities. However, long-term care isn't free or covered by traditional health insurance plans like Medicare. This article discusses the consequences of not planning for your future health needs.