Inpatient occupational therapy

An occupational therapist helps you regain the skills you need to live independently after an illness, injury or surgery. This includes everyday activities like getting dressed, bathing, preparing meals and safely moving around your home.

Occupational therapists work with you to improve your ability to perform everyday tasks independently through hands-on therapy sessions. They may also teach you new ways to complete tasks or recommend adaptive equipment to help you return to the community safely.

The average length of stay for inpatient rehabilitation depends on your specific condition and recovery goals. On average, patients stay in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital for about two weeks.

Yes. Inpatient occupational therapy is part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program. In addition to occupational therapy, your care plan will also include physical therapy and/or speech-language therapy services as needed. All therapies are coordinated to support your overall recovery and independence.

Occupational therapy and physical therapy both play an important role in recovery, but they focus on different goals.

• Occupational therapy (OT) helps you perform daily activities like dressing, bathing, cooking and returning to life at home or in your community.
• Physical therapy (PT) focuses on improving strength, balance, movement and overall mobility.

These therapies work together during inpatient rehabilitation — physical therapy helps you move better, while occupational therapy helps you use those movements to safely and independently complete everyday tasks.

While inpatient rehabilitation is typically recommended by a physician, you have the right to choose your care setting. Find a location and talk to a rehabilitation specialist to see if inpatient rehabilitation is right for you.

Inpatient rehabilitation hospitals provide at least three hours of therapy a day, five days a week, with a coordinated team of physical, occupational and speech therapists. Patients also receive 24/7 nursing care and frequent physician visits. The average stay for inpatient rehabilitation is around two weeks.

At a skilled nursing facility (SNF), patients typically stay about one month. Registered nurses are on site for a minimum of eight hours a day, and physicians usually visit monthly. There is no minimum therapy requirement.

Many insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance, cover all or part of an inpatient rehabilitation stay. Always check with your provider, as coverage depends on your plan’s benefits, deductibles and network requirements. Our liaisons will work with you to confirm coverage before admission.

Inpatient rehabilitation supports those who need additional therapy before returning to the community. Occupational therapy is often recommended to help patients return to doing everything they need and want — in both daily life at home and out in the community.

Patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital require a combination of physical, occupational and speech therapy as needed. This level of care is designed for patients who need more support for their well-being than can be provided at home or in less intensive settings.