You just got the call. Surgery is set. Now you are wondering what happens after the hospital. Take a breath.
Short-term rehab helps your loved one regain strength and confidence so home feels possible again.
Important: ArchCare provides short-term rehabilitation after surgery, illness, or injury. We do not provide addiction rehabilitation.
What is Short-Term Rehab?
Short-term rehab is the step between hospital and home. Your loved one comes to a rehab unit for daily therapy and medical support.
The goal is to make safe, steady progress so they can return home with the skills and strength they need. Many stays last 10 to 30 days, depending on the surgeon’s orders and the care plan.
Who Benefits from Short-Term Rehab?
- After orthopedic surgery such as hip or knee replacement.
- After stroke or a complex medical stay when strength and balance declined.
- After illness or injury when walking, bathing, dressing, or swallowing are harder.
What Happens Each Day?
- Therapy every day:
- Physical therapy (PT) for mobility and strength
- Occupational therapy (OT) for daily living
- Speech therapy (SLP) for communication and swallowing, when needed.
- A dedicated recovery team: Doctors, nurses, therapists, dietitian, and a social worker build a personal plan with you and your loved one.
- Specialized programs: Stroke recovery and orthopedic rehab, including a full floor dedicated to short-term rehab at Mary Manning Walsh across from Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS).
What Families Worry About and What Rehab Provides
| Concern | Rehab support |
| Weakness, pain, fall risk | Daily PT for strength, balance, safe mobility |
| Trouble with bathing, dressing | OT retrains daily skills and sets up adaptations |
| Swallowing or communication needs | SLP evaluates and treats swallowing and speech |
| Going home too soon | Team builds a safe discharge plan with you |
| Confusion about next steps | One team coordinates care and teaches you what to do |
Benefits You Can Feel
- Faster, safer recovery at a pace that matches your loved one.
- Real-life skills for home like transfers, stairs, equipment use, and energy conservation.
- Confidence for both of you, with clear teaching and practice before discharge.
Things to Consider
Short-term rehab is focused and intensive. Length of stay depends on recovery goals, therapy progress, and insurance authorization.
Your care team will review this with you and adjust as needed.
How Long Does it Last?
Many stays are 10–30 days. Therapy frequency is daily and can include more than one session per day based on tolerance and goals.
Therapies Used Here—Not Addiction Treatment
- Physical Therapy (PT) for walking, transfers, stairs, and strength.
- Occupational Therapy (OT) for bathing, dressing, toileting, and home setup.
- Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) for swallowing, speech, and cognition.
- Orthopedic and stroke-focused protocols, when indicated.
After Rehab: The Bridge Home
When discharge is near, your team will plan the supports you need. Some families choose ArchCare Home Care for skilled nursing or therapy visits at home. Ask your social worker which services fit your plan.
What to Pack
ArchCare’s short-term rehab after surgery packing list makes the first day easier. Be sure to pack:
- ID and insurance cards
- Medication list
- Non-slip shoes
- Comfortable clothing for therapy
- Familiar items that bring comfort
FAQ
Is this the same as addiction rehab?
No. ArchCare short-term rehab is post-acute medical rehabilitation after surgery, illness, or injury.
How many therapy days per week?
Therapy is provided daily during your stay, adjusted to energy and goals.
Will my loved one get strong enough to go home?
The plan is designed for that. Your team practices real-life tasks and sets up equipment and services for home.
How do we prepare?
Follow the What to Pack checklist and bring the surgeon’s instructions and medication list.
Ready to Plan Your Recovery? Choose an ArchCare Rehab Location
If you have an upcoming surgery or need short-term rehab, we’re here to help you plan ahead.
ArchCare offers short-term rehabilitation at the following locations:
- Mary Manning Walsh – Upper East Side, Manhattan
- Ferncliff Nursing Home – Rhinebeck, NY
- San Vicente de Paúl – The Bronx
- Providence Rest – The Bronx
- Terence Cardinal Cooke – East Harlem
- Carmel Richmond – Staten Island
- Eger Healthcare – Staten Island
Call us at 855-951-2273 (CARE) or
Fill out a request form on our website to reserve your space today.
We’ll guide you through the process and make sure you feel confident about the next step toward home.