Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Altoona, PA
Non-medical help at home in the days and weeks after surgery, a hospital stay or a fall, alongside any nursing or therapy a doctor orders. Post what you need in Altoona for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Altoona, PA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Upmc Altoona in Altoona, about 1.0 mi away in a straight line, followed by Conemaugh Nason Medical Center (13 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 17 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Altoona. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Altoona compared with Blair County and Pennsylvania
| Census figure | Altoona | Blair County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 34% | 31% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 18% | 21% | 19% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 35% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 12% | 8.6% | 10% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.1% | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 12% | 11% | 9.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $38,233 | $44,599 | — |
Older residents in towns around Altoona
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood, PA | 3.2 mi | 612 | 29% |
| Hollidaysburg, PA | 5.3 mi | 1,334 | 28% |
| Penn Farms, PA | 6.4 mi | 374 | 32% |
| Tyrone, PA | 14 mi | 1,094 | 26% |
| Ebensburg, PA | 17 mi | 842 | 38% |
| Huntingdon, PA | 21 mi | 1,335 | 18% |
Hospitals near Altoona
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upmc Altoona | Altoona, PA | 1.0 mi | 3 of 5 | (814) 889-2011 |
| Conemaugh Nason Medical Center | Roaring Spring, PA | 13 mi | 5 of 5 | (814) 224-2141 |
| Penn Highlands Tyrone | Tyrone, PA | 14 mi | not rated | (814) 684-1255 |
| Conemaugh Miners Medical Center | Hastings, PA | 19 mi | not rated | (814) 247-3101 |
Home health agencies serving Altoona
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medi Home Health Agency | State College, PA | 34 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (814) 235-1048 |
| Upmc Home Healthcare Of Central Pennsylvania | Altoona, PA | 1.0 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (814) 946-5411 |
| Advantage Home Health Services, LLC | Altoona, PA | 1.0 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (814) 943-0222 |
| Omni Home Care | State College, PA | 35 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy | (814) 684-7366 |
| Allegheny Health Network Healthcare At Home Home Health | Canonsburg, PA | 94 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (724) 222-9906 |
| Nason Hospital Home Health Agency | Roaring Spring, PA | 13 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy | (814) 224-2141 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Altoona. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a post-surgery caregiver can help with
- Help getting in and out of bed, chairs and the shower
- Meals, fluids and medication reminders
- Rides to follow-up and therapy appointments
- Help with home exercises the therapist set
What post-surgery care costs in Altoona
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,186 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.
What to know before hiring a post-surgery caregiver
Medicare covers home health care after surgery when a doctor orders it and the person is homebound: part-time skilled nursing and therapy from a Medicare-certified agency. It does not cover round-the-clock help, or personal care when that is the only care needed (Medicare.gov).
Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone after this kind of surgery? Are you comfortable with transfers, walkers and shower chairs? Can you start on the discharge date and cover the first nights? More in our post-surgery care guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Post-Surgery Care in Altoona: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Altoona?
Upmc Altoona in Altoona, about 1.0 mi in a straight line from the center of Altoona (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (814) 889-2011. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Altoona?
Medicare lists 17 certified agencies whose service area includes Altoona ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Medi Home Health Agency (5 of 5), Upmc Home Healthcare Of Central Pennsylvania (3.5 of 5), Advantage Home Health Services, LLC (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Altoona?
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,186 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
How long do people usually need help after surgery?
It depends on the operation and the person. After a hip or knee replacement many people need daily help for a few weeks, and more at night in the first days. Ask the surgical team for an estimate and plan with some slack.
More senior care near Altoona
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Greenwood, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Hollidaysburg, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Penn Farms, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Tyrone, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Ebensburg, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Huntingdon, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Northern Cambria, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Nanty-Glo, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Stormstown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Philipsburg, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Geistown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Windber, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Belmont, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Johnstown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Westmont, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Elim, PA
Other care in Altoona
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.
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