Finding short-term rehab in Clearwater starts with two things: knowing the real, licensed options and understanding Clearwater's own cost and care landscape. Both are below. We currently track 13 licensed nursing homes serving Clearwater from Florida AHCA records.
What's below: the licensed providers, 2026 Clearwater cost ranges, the local hospital and neighborhood context, what to ask on a tour, and how to act fast if a hospital discharge is looming. Prefer to talk it through? Get matched with a free local advisor — no fees, ever.
What short-term rehab means — and who it's for
Short-term rehab is for a senior recovering from surgery, a stroke, or a hospital stay who needs intensive physical, occupational, or speech therapy before returning home.
How Florida regulates it: Short-term rehab is delivered in AHCA-licensed skilled nursing facilities (Chapter 400, F.S.) and is typically Medicare-covered for up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay. The same facility list applies — what differs is the rehab therapy program and discharge planning.
In Clearwater specifically, that means weighing the licensed options against Clearwater's cost range and your family's timeline. The right choice balances care level, budget, location near Morton Plant Hospital (BayCare), and how quickly you need a spot.
Clearwater short-term rehab: by the numbers
13 licensed nursing homes on file in Clearwater; about 1,471 total licensed beds; averaging 113 beds per community; the largest at 165 beds. These counts come from current Florida AHCA licensing data, not estimates.
Licensed short-term rehab providers in Clearwater
Selected by licensed bed capacity. Source: Florida AHCA / FloridaHealthFinder, current 2026. Always confirm a current license at quality.healthfinder.fl.gov before signing.
| Provider | City | Licensed beds | AHCA license # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Garden Of Clearwater | Clearwater | 165 beds | 1407096 |
| Kensington Gardens Rehab And Nursing Center | Clearwater | 150 beds | 1083095 |
| Advanced Care Center And Rehab | Clearwater | 120 beds | 11290961 |
| Aviata At Sand Key | Clearwater | 120 beds | 15370961 |
| Belleair Health Care Center | Clearwater | 120 beds | 10480962 |
| Clearwater Center | Clearwater | 120 beds | 1091096 |
| East Bay Rehabilitation Center | Clearwater | 120 beds | 11340962 |
| Harbourwood Post-Acute And Rehabilitation Center | Clearwater | 120 beds | 1651096 |
| Highland Pines Rehabilitation Center | Clearwater | 120 beds | 12280961 |
| Westchester Gardens Health & Rehabilitation | Clearwater | 120 beds | 1596096 |
| Gulfside Health And Rehabilitation Center | Clearwater | 76 beds | 1173096 |
| Oaks Of Clearwater, The | Clearwater | 60 beds | 1374096 |
Senior care in Clearwater, Pinellas County
Clearwater draws snowbirds and year-round retirees to its Gulf beaches and the Countryside area, sustaining one of the highest per-capita concentrations of senior communities in Pinellas. Anchored by Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater pairs beach-town living with a mature network of assisted-living, memory-care, and rehab providers in Countryside and along US-19.
Nearby hospitals: Morton Plant Hospital (BayCare), Clearwater (BayCare urgent/specialty). Proximity to a hospital matters for rehab discharges, dementia emergencies, and ongoing specialist visits — families in Clearwater often shortlist communities a short drive from these.
Areas families ask about: Countryside, Sand Key, Island Estates, Downtown Clearwater, Clearwater Beach.
What short-term rehab costs in Clearwater (2026)
Clearwater pricing runs $9,550–$14,300/month, above the metro average for Tampa Bay — a reflection of local real-estate and the mix of small residential homes versus larger communities.
- Assisted living (standard): $3,700–$5,850/month
- Memory care: $5,100–$7,400/month
- In-home care: $28–$40/hour
In Clearwater, the levers on price are room type (shared saves the most), facility size (small homes run cheaper), an honest care-level assessment, and benefit programs like VA Aid & Attendance and Florida SMMC Medicaid.
How we vet Clearwater providers
- Verified active AHCA licensure and disciplinary status
- Recent survey and complaint history reviewed
- Candid references from families who live it daily
- Itemized monthly cost shared before any tour
- In-person walkthrough notes from our local team
Questions to ask on a tour
- How fast can staff respond to a call button at night?
- What would trigger a move to a higher care level?
- What's the true all-in monthly cost for our parent's needs?
- How are falls and med changes communicated to family?
- How long have caregivers worked here on average?
What's included — and what costs extra
Usually included: skilled nursing oversight, physical/occupational/speech therapy, room and board, and discharge planning. Typically extra: extended stays beyond the Medicare-covered period and private-room upgrades. Ask any Clearwater provider for an itemized rate sheet so you can compare apples to apples.
How fast you can move in Clearwater
Plan on roughly 7–14 days for a Clearwater placement: assessment, deposit, physician's order, then move-in. Memory-care and post-hospital moves can happen same-day to 72 hours when a secured bed opens. A free local advisor can tell you which Clearwater communities have current openings.