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Canadian Hospital Rehabilitation Services 2026 — Physio, OT & Community Rehab Guide
Complete guide to Canadian hospital rehabilitation services — inpatient rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, community rehabilitation, provincial funding, rehab wait times, and rehabilitation software.
Canadian inpatient rehab requires 2+ therapy disciplines and 3 hours/day tolerance. CIHI NRS tracks rehab data. Community rehab supports early discharge. This guide covers Canadian rehabilitation.
Rehab Service Levels
| Level | Description | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| Inpatient rehab | Intensive therapy in rehab unit | 3 hours/day, 5 days/week |
| Sub-acute rehab | Less intensive inpatient rehab | 1-2 hours/day |
| Outpatient rehab | Hospital outpatient therapy | 2-3 sessions/week |
| Community rehab | Community clinic or home therapy | 1-3 sessions/week |
| Home rehab | Therapy at home (home care) | 1-3 sessions/week |
| Maintenance rehab | Ongoing therapy to maintain function | Weekly to monthly |
Rehab Disciplines
- Physiotherapy (PT): Mobility, strength, balance, gait, exercise
- Occupational therapy (OT): ADLs, home assessment, equipment, cognitive rehab
- Speech-language pathology (SLP): Swallowing, communication, cognitive-communication
- Rehab medicine: Physiatrist (rehab physician) oversight
- Rehab nursing: Nurses with rehab training
- Social work: Psychosocial support, discharge planning, community resources
- Rehab psychology: Psychological support for adjustment to disability
- Therapeutic recreation: Recreation therapy for community reintegration
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is inpatient rehabilitation in Canada?
- Canadian inpatient rehabilitation provides intensive therapy for patients after acute illness/injury. Admission criteria: 1) Need intensive therapy (2+ disciplines), 2. Medical stability, 3. Tolerance for 3 hours/day therapy, 4. Reasonable rehab goals. Common conditions: stroke, hip fracture, cardiac, amputation, brain injury. Rehab LOS varies (2-8 weeks). Provincial funding. CIHI reports rehab data (NRS — National Rehabilitation Reporting System).
- How are rehab wait times in Canada?
- Canadian rehab wait times: 1) Inpatient rehab admission — 5-20 days (varies by province and condition), 2. Community rehab (physio, OT) — 2-12 weeks. CIHI NRS tracks rehab wait times. Wait times are longer for stroke and orthopaedic patients. Provincial targets vary. Delays in rehab admission prolong acute hospital LOS (ALC).
- What is community rehabilitation in Canada?
- Canadian community rehabilitation provides therapy outside hospital: 1) Home physiotherapy (provincial home care), 2. Community physiotherapy clinics (provincial funding in some provinces), 3. Outpatient hospital rehab, 4. Private physiotherapy (patient pays or private insurance), 5. Community OT (home assessment, equipment). Community rehab supports early hospital discharge and ongoing recovery.