Post-Surgery Care in Andover, MA: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Andover, MA: the local picture

4.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Lawrence)

45

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Andover ZIP codes in their service area

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Essex County)

1,732

residents 65 or older (18% of Andover)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital in Lawrence, about 4.1 mi away in a straight line, followed by Holy Family Hospital (5.4 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 45 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Andover. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Andover compared with Essex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Andover	Essex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	30%	30%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	29%	29%
Households with no vehicle	12%	9.3%	12%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	2.2%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	11%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$68,274	$66,414	—

Older residents in towns around Andover

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lawrence, MA	3.2 mi	9,318	47%
Methuen, MA	6.3 mi	9,206	34%
Wilmington, MA	6.4 mi	3,647	26%
Reading, MA	8.5 mi	5,289	24%
Lowell, MA	9.2 mi	14,960	41%
Haverhill, MA	9.2 mi	10,483	35%

Hospitals near Andover

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital	Lawrence, MA	4.1 mi	2 of 5	(978) 683-4000
Holy Family Hospital	Methuen, MA	5.4 mi	2 of 5	(978) 687-0156
Lowell General Hospital	Lowell, MA	9.8 mi	2 of 5	(978) 937-6000
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington	Burlington, MA	11 mi	4 of 5	(781) 744-5100

Home health agencies serving Andover

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Amedisys Home Health Care	Wakefield, MA	11 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(978) 685-2818
Elara Caring	Newburyport, MA	17 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(978) 904-1454
Alternative Home Health Care, LLC	Methuen, MA	5.4 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(978) 657-7444
All Care Vna-Greater Lynn Inc	Lynn, MA	17 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(781) 598-2454
Tufts Medicine Care At Home	Lowell, MA	8.1 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(978) 552-4000
Mass General Brigham Home Care, Inc	Newton, MA	22 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(781) 290-4000

Straight-line miles from the center of Andover. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

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

Cost

What post-surgery care costs in Andover

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,690 monthly median income of Andover households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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.

Before you hire

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.

Questions

Post-Surgery Care in Andover: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Andover?

Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital in Lawrence, about 4.1 mi in a straight line from the center of Andover (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (978) 683-4000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Andover?

Medicare lists 45 certified agencies whose service area includes Andover ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Amedisys Home Health Care (4.5 of 5), Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Alternative Home Health Care, LLC (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Andover?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,690 monthly median income of Andover households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 near Andover

More senior care near Andover

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Andover

More for Andover families

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.

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Andover, MA