Hip Fracture Recovery in Boise: How Inpatient Rehabilitation HelpsA hip fracture can turn an ordinary day into a major medical event.For an older adult, the injury may happen after a fall in the bathroom, on a sidewalk, beside the bed, or while navigating stairs. What follows can include emergency care, surgery, pain, weakness, uncertainty, and a sudden loss of confidence in everyday movement.Even after the fracture has been repaired and the patient is medically stable, returning directly home may not be realistic.Walking may require assistance.Getting out of bed may feel difficult.Using the bathroom safely can become a challenge.A person who previously managed independently may suddenly need help dressing, bathing, climbing stairs, or getting into a car.For patients and families in Boise and Ada County, Idaho, inpatient rehabilitation can provide an important step between acute hospital care and returning home.Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health, provides hospital-level rehabilitation at 711 North Curtis Road in Boise for people recovering from hip fractures, joint replacements, amputations, and other complex orthopedic conditions. Patients receive intensive therapy, 24-hour rehabilitation nursing, frequent physician visits, and coordinated care focused on restoring mobility and independence.Why Hip Fracture Recovery Can Be Challenging for Older AdultsA hip fracture affects much more than the hip itself.After surgery and hospitalization, an older adult may experience:PainMuscle weaknessReduced balanceDifficulty walkingFear of falling againLow enduranceDifficulty getting in and out of bedTrouble dressing or bathingProblems using stairsReduced confidenceRecovery can also be complicated by chronic medical conditions, medications, or the physical effects of spending several days in a hospital bed.Encompass Health notes that people recovering from hip fractures may benefit from therapy and medical support in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, where the treatment plan is based on the person's weight-bearing status, overall medical condition, abilities, and recovery goals.Recovery Tip: After a hip fracture, the goal is not simply to make the repaired bone heal. Rehabilitation also needs to rebuild the strength, balance, confidence, and everyday skills required to function safely again.What Is Inpatient Orthopedic Rehabilitation?Inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation combines intensive therapy with continued hospital-level medical and nursing care.Encompass Health describes orthopedic rehabilitation as a personalized program designed for people recovering from conditions such as hip fractures, joint replacement, amputations, and other orthopedic injuries or surgeries. Treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain management, education, and coordinated discharge planning.At Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, patients receive:At least three hours of customized therapy a dayTherapy five days per week24-hour nursing careFrequent physician visitsPhysical therapyOccupational therapySpeech therapy when clinically appropriateSupport from case managers, dietitians, pharmacists, and other professionalsThis setting may be appropriate when a person needs more intensive rehabilitation and clinical oversight than outpatient therapy or a less intensive setting can provide.Physical Therapy Helps Patients Walk Again SafelyOne of the primary goals after a hip fracture is restoring mobility.Physical therapists may work with patients on:Standing safelyWalkingBalanceStrengthRange of motionGetting in and out of chairsGetting in and out of bedUsing a walker or other mobility deviceClimbing stairs when appropriateEncompass Health's hip rehabilitation program emphasizes standing, walking, safe transfers, strengthening the hips and legs, and learning safer ways to move after surgery or injury.Progress often happens gradually.A patient may begin by standing with assistance.Then they may walk a few feet with a walker.Later, therapy may focus on longer distances, turns, uneven surfaces, or stairs.Every milestone builds toward safer independence.Occupational Therapy Focuses on Everyday LifeWalking is only part of returning home.A patient also needs to be able to perform daily activities.Occupational therapists can help patients relearn or adapt how they:DressPut on shoesBatheUse the toiletPrepare simple mealsMove around the homeUse adaptive equipmentComplete household tasksEncompass Health lists daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and household tasks among the areas addressed in orthopedic rehabilitation.This type of therapy is especially important because orthopedic precautions may temporarily change how a patient performs normal routines.Someone may need to learn a different way to put on socks.A raised toilet seat may become necessary.A shower chair may improve safety.Occupational therapy helps turn medical recovery into practical independence.Hip Precautions May Be Part of RehabilitationSome patients recovering from hip replacement or hip fracture surgery receive movement precautions from their surgeon.Depending on the specific surgery and medical instructions, the patient may need to avoid certain positions or movements while healing.Encompass Health notes that hip rehabilitation may include education about movement restrictions, weight-bearing precautions, and fall prevention.Families should never assume every patient has the same restrictions.The surgeon and rehabilitation team should explain exactly what applies.Fall Prevention Is a Major Part of RecoveryAfter a hip fracture, fear of falling can be almost as limiting as weakness.A patient may become hesitant to stand or walk because they are afraid of another injury.Rehabilitation can address this through:Balance trainingStrengtheningSafe transfer techniquesMobility-device trainingEducationHome-safety planningEncompass Health identifies uneven flooring, stairs, unsecured rails, low lighting, and other environmental hazards among factors that may contribute to falls and fractures.Families should begin thinking about the home environment before discharge.A successful therapy session inside the hospital does not automatically mean the home is ready.Preparing the Home for ReturnBefore a patient returns home, families may need to consider:StairsLoose rugsBathroom accessShower safetyBed heightFurniture placementHandrailsLightingWalker clearanceGrab barsThe patient's rehabilitation team and case manager can help identify equipment or modifications that may support a safer transition.The goal is to reduce obstacles that could make recovery unnecessarily difficult.Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Can Have Similar GoalsSaint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital also treats patients recovering from joint replacement and other orthopedic procedures.Encompass Health's orthopedic program includes rehabilitation after hip, knee, or shoulder replacement, with therapy focused on mobility, flexibility, balance, strength, and everyday function.Not every joint replacement patient needs inpatient rehabilitation.Some recover safely at home or with outpatient therapy.Others may have multiple medical conditions, limited family support, mobility concerns, or more complex rehabilitation needs that make inpatient rehabilitation appropriate.Admission should be based on the patient's clinical situation.Intensive Therapy Is Balanced With RestThree hours of therapy does not necessarily mean a patient performs therapy continuously for three hours.Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital explains that therapy can be spread throughout the day to allow rest and recovery. For some patients, treatment may begin at bedside and become more active as strength improves.This can be particularly important after orthopedic surgery.The person may need intensive rehabilitation but still experience fatigue or pain.A customized schedule allows therapy to remain challenging without ignoring recovery needs.Medical Needs Continue During RehabilitationHip fracture patients are often older adults with additional health concerns.Someone may also have:DiabetesHeart diseaseHigh blood pressureKidney diseaseWoundsMedication changesSaint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital provides 24-hour nursing and frequent physician visits and can manage medically complex rehabilitation patients, including needs involving wound care, IV therapy, and medication management.This hospital-level support is one of the features that distinguishes inpatient rehabilitation from less medically intensive settings.Saint Alphonsus Expanded Its Boise Rehabilitation Capacity in 2026Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital expanded in April 2026, adding 20 private patient beds and increasing the hospital's total capacity to 60 beds.The expansion also added approximately 14,000 square feet and a four-chair hemodialysis suite, allowing qualifying rehabilitation patients to receive dialysis onsite rather than being transported elsewhere for treatment.The hospital treats patients recovering from orthopedic conditions in addition to stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, and other complex medical conditions.For Boise and Treasure Valley families, additional capacity may help keep rehabilitation closer to home.Why This Matters in BoiseBoise had an estimated 238,429 residents in 2025, and approximately 16.2% were age 65 or older.As Boise's older-adult population grows, falls, fractures, joint replacements, and orthopedic recovery remain important issues for families throughout Ada County.A local inpatient rehabilitation hospital can make it easier for relatives to:VisitParticipate in caregiver trainingAttend discharge planningLearn mobility techniquesPrepare the homeStay involved in recoverySaint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital serves Boise and the broader Treasure Valley from its location on North Curtis Road.How Long Does Hip Fracture Rehabilitation Take?Recovery timelines vary significantly.Encompass Health notes that a typical inpatient rehabilitation stay after hip fracture may be around 7 to 14 days, with some hip fracture patients averaging roughly 10 to 12 days in inpatient rehabilitation. Additional home health or outpatient therapy may continue afterward depending on the person's progress.These figures are general.One patient may progress faster.Another may require more time.Age, health conditions, surgery type, weight-bearing status, strength, home environment, and recovery goals all affect the timeline.Discharge Planning Begins Before Recovery Is FinishedLeaving inpatient rehabilitation does not necessarily mean rehabilitation is over.A patient may continue recovery through:Home exercisesHome healthOutpatient physical therapyOccupational therapyPhysician follow-upCase managers help coordinate discharge planning and identify equipment, services, and community resources that may be needed after leaving the hospital.Families should ask:What will the patient still need help with when they go home?That question helps avoid assuming everything will immediately return to normal.Caregiver Training Can Make Home SaferFamily members may need to learn how to assist without injuring themselves or the patient.Training may include:Safe transfersWalker useGetting into a carNavigating stepsFollowing hip precautionsUsing equipmentHelping with dressingFall preventionDo not be afraid to practice.Watching a therapist perform a transfer is different from doing it yourself.Families should ask whether they can participate in training before discharge.How Is Someone Referred to Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital?The hospital's clinical liaisons can evaluate patients at the bedside or by phone to determine whether inpatient rehabilitation is appropriate. Patients may be referred for diagnoses including hip fracture, amputation, stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurological conditions, and other qualifying medical problems.Families can begin by:Asking the acute-care hospital team whether inpatient rehabilitation is appropriate.Requesting relevant therapy evaluations.Gathering insurance and medical information.Calling Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital at 208-605-3000.Asking about admission criteria, coverage, and bed availability.The hospital is located at 711 North Curtis Road, Boise, Idaho 83706.Does Medicare Cover Inpatient Rehabilitation?Medicare may cover medically necessary inpatient rehabilitation when the patient meets applicable eligibility requirements.Coverage generally depends on the need for intensive rehabilitation, continued medical supervision, and coordinated rehabilitation care.Families should verify the patient's specific benefits and any applicable deductibles or cost-sharing directly with Medicare, the health plan, and the rehabilitation hospital.Private insurance coverage can also vary by plan.Questions Families Should Ask Before Orthopedic RehabilitationWhat Is the Patient Allowed to Put Weight On?Weight-bearing instructions can significantly affect therapy after hip surgery or fracture.What Equipment Will Be Needed?Ask about walkers, wheelchairs, shower equipment, or other devices.What Are the Main Discharge Goals?Understand which abilities the rehabilitation team wants the patient to regain.Can Family Participate in Training?Caregiver education can make the return home much safer.Will Therapy Continue After Discharge?Ask whether home health or outpatient therapy is likely to be recommended.What Changes Are Needed at Home?Plan for stairs, bathrooms, rugs, and other safety issues before the patient arrives.Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning, Conservatorship, and Elder LawShould estate planning be reviewed after a serious fall or hip fracture?A major injury can be a useful reason to review existing legal documents. Families may want to confirm that financial powers of attorney, healthcare directives, wills, trusts, and beneficiary information still reflect the older adult's wishes.Does a hip fracture mean someone can no longer make legal decisions?No. Physical disability and legal decision-making capacity are different issues. A person may need significant rehabilitation assistance while remaining fully capable of making their own financial, healthcare, and personal decisions.What is conservatorship?Conservatorship generally involves a court appointing someone to manage financial or property matters for a person who cannot adequately manage those responsibilities independently.Does inpatient rehabilitation require guardianship?No. Admission to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital does not mean guardianship is required. Many rehabilitation patients remain fully involved in their own medical and legal decisions.When might an elder-law attorney be helpful?An elder-law attorney may assist with powers of attorney, estate planning, long-term-care planning, Medicaid issues, guardianship, conservatorship, property matters, and other legal concerns after a serious injury or health change.Recovery Means Returning to Everyday LifeFor a person recovering from a hip fracture or orthopedic surgery, success is not measured only by an X-ray.It may mean standing without fear.Walking into the bathroom safely.Getting dressed independently.Climbing the front steps.Preparing a simple meal.Returning to a familiar home.For patients and families looking for inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation in Boise and Ada County, Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health, provides intensive rehabilitation for hip fractures, joint replacements, amputations, and other complex orthopedic conditions. Its program combines physical and occupational therapy with 24-hour rehabilitation nursing, physician involvement, and coordinated discharge planning.Families can learn more and connect through the Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital listing on SeniorsBlueBook.com.A hip fracture can temporarily change what someone is able to do. Inpatient rehabilitation helps turn recovery into practical goals, giving patients the therapy, support, and confidence needed to work toward independence one step at a time.