Rehab and Therapy
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

After a hospital stay or surgery, many older adults need some level of rehab to help get them back to their former good health. For older adults, post-hospital rehab offers customized treatment plans to ensure each patient’s needs are met, with the goal of transitioning home with a renewed sense of confidence and an improved level of function.

• Outpatient rehab means that a person will go straight home from the hospital, and then travel to rehab appointments in order to receive services.
• Inpatient rehab means a person will go from the hospital to a rehab center where they’ll work with a therapy team for parts of each day, and then rest and enjoy the center’s activities for the remainder of the day.

• Ask questions at the hospital. Find out what kind of rehab the doctor recommends to meet your health needs.
• Start gathering a list of rehab centers that offer those therapy services. The hospital social worker can likely provide a list for you.
• Ask each rehab center several questions, including the following:
  • Do you have private rooms?
  • What therapy services do you offer?
  • Does my insurance cover any costs?
  • How do you include the family in the care planning process?
  • What is the success rate of patients who return home to live independently?
  • How do you manage the transition from the hospital to your community?
  • How often is therapy scheduled, and what other activities are offered?
• Schedule a tour. Observe how the staff works with patients and get a feel for the culture and cleanliness of the rehab center.
• Make a decision. Create a list of pros and cons to see how the centers rank against each other. Make sure to include Medicare rating, insurance coverage, amenities, reputation, and quality of care.

It all depends on your health needs. Your doctor can tell you what level of care is needed and whether a rehab center would be appropriate. However, you might still have questions, and that’s where the staff at a rehab center can help.

By speaking with one of our admissions directors and sharing some information about your current health situation, our staff can provide guidance to the most appropriate level of care.

Certain rehab centers allow you to reserve space before surgery if you know you will need some level of rehabilitation service. If you are considering or have scheduled surgery and would like to plan for your recovery needs, we recommend making a pre-surgery reservation at one of our Optalis communities.

A pre-surgery reservation will give you peace of mind that you’re prepared for your surgery and recovery. Make a pre-surgery reservation >>

Most importantly, you or your loved one has a sense of being cared for and cared about. You’ll be able to quickly assess if you’re receiving good, quality care. The staff will be knowledgeable and attentive to specific care needs, often anticipating them before being asked. Lastly, you’ll feel comfortable with the lines of communication between various staff members.

It depends on the community. Private rooms are often desired when someone is not feeling well. If that is important to you in your rehab and recovery, please share that with our Admissions Director. Our Optalis communities can usually accommodate a private room request.

A continuum of care means that no matter your health care needs, they can all be met within one community. Optalis can offer a full continuum of care services based on an individual’s care needs. This allows our team to provide care at the most appropriate level and provide transitions through the continuum as needed.

Our care services include assisted living, long-term care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and therapy, respite care, and memory care. Learn more about our care services >>