Bellingham, Massachusetts

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Bellingham, MA

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

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Local figures

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

4.7 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Milford)
19
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Bellingham ZIP codes in their service area
35%
of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Norfolk County)
992
residents 65 or older (19% of Bellingham)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford, about 4.7 mi away in a straight line, followed by Landmark Medical Center (7.8 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 19 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Bellingham. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Bellingham compared with Norfolk County and Massachusetts

Census figureBellinghamNorfolk CountyMassachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability35%27%30%
Residents 65 or older19%18%18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone39%29%29%
Households with no vehicle2.2%9.2%12%
Residents 85 or older3.6%2.4%2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)4.9%9.2%11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$41,000$78,127—

Older residents in towns around Bellingham

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Franklin Town, MA3.5 mi4,87223%
Hopedale, MA3.9 mi91550%
Milford, MA4.4 mi5,08624%
Woonsocket, RI6.5 mi6,38737%
Cumberland Hill, RI8.3 mi1,30931%
Millis-Clicquot, MA8.3 mi96313%

Hospitals near Bellingham

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Milford Regional Medical CenterMilford, MA4.7 mi4 of 5(508) 473-1190
Landmark Medical CenterWoonsocket, RI7.8 mi2 of 5(401) 769-4100
Metrowest Medical CenterFramingham, MA15 mi1 of 5(508) 383-1000
Sturdy Memorial HospitalAttleboro, MA15 mi3 of 5(508) 222-5200

Home health agencies serving Bellingham

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Elara CaringBraintree, MA26 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides(617) 969-7517
Preferred Transitions Home Health Care IncMilford, MA4.7 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(978) 352-6640
Metrowest Homecare And Hospice, An Amedisys CompanyMarlborough, MA18 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work(508) 383-7000
Centerwell Home HealthMarlborough, MA18 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy(508) 481-4930
Aveanna Home HealthWorcester, MA22 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides(508) 213-1236
Vna And Hospice Of Greater MilfordMilford, MA4.7 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work(508) 473-0862

Straight-line miles from the center of Bellingham. 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 Bellingham

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 50% of the $3,417 monthly median income of Bellingham 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 Bellingham: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Bellingham?

Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford, about 4.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Bellingham (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (508) 473-1190. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Bellingham?

Medicare lists 19 certified agencies whose service area includes Bellingham ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (5 of 5), Preferred Transitions Home Health Care Inc (4.5 of 5), Metrowest Homecare And Hospice, An Amedisys Company (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Bellingham?

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 50% of the $3,417 monthly median income of Bellingham 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.

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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