Bayfield, Colorado

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Bayfield, CO

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 Bayfield for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Bayfield, CO: the local picture

15 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Durango)
3
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Bayfield ZIP codes in their service area
17%
of residents 65+ report a disability (21% in La Plata County)
240
residents 65 or older (8.3% of Bayfield)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, about 15 mi away in a straight line, followed by Animas Surgical Hospital, LLC (15 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 3 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Bayfield. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Bayfield compared with La Plata County and Colorado

Census figureBayfieldLa Plata CountyColorado
Residents 65+ with a disability17%21%30%
Residents 65 or older8.3%21%16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone39%24%28%
Households with no vehicle5.9%2.7%5.2%
Residents 85 or older0.9%1.4%1.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)0.0%6.5%8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$64,583$69,214—

Older residents in towns around Bayfield

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Durango, CO16 mi3,23217%
Aztec, NM36 mi1,00033%
Dulce, NM38 mi55450%
Bloomfield, NM40 mi1,14049%
Flora Vista, NM40 mi40144%
Crouch Mesa, NM43 mi42449%

Hospitals near Bayfield

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Mercy Regional Medical CenterDurango, CO15 mi5 of 5(970) 247-4311
Animas Surgical Hospital, LLCDurango, CO15 minot rated(970) 247-3537
Pagosa Springs Medical CenterPagosa Springs, CO31 minot rated(970) 731-3700

Home health agencies serving Bayfield

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Pasco/Sw Home HealthCortez, CO55 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(970) 565-6833
Home Health MercyDurango, CO15 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(970) 764-3500
Guardian Angel Home HealthCortez, CO55 mi2 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides(970) 565-7134

Straight-line miles from the center of Bayfield. 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 Bayfield

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,382 monthly median income of Bayfield households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Bayfield: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Bayfield?

Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, about 15 mi in a straight line from the center of Bayfield (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (970) 247-4311. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Bayfield?

Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Bayfield ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Pasco/Sw Home Health (4 of 5), Home Health Mercy (3.5 of 5), Guardian Angel Home Health (2 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Bayfield?

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,382 monthly median income of Bayfield households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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.

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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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