Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Boston, 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 Boston for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Boston, MA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Tufts Medical Center in Boston, about 2.4 mi away in a straight line, followed by Boston Medical Center (2.8 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 85 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Boston. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Boston compared with Massachusetts
| Census figure | Boston | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 35% | 29% |
| Households with no vehicle | 33% | 12% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.6% | 2.2% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 21% | 11% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $51,082 | — |
Older residents in towns around Boston
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winthrop Town, MA | 3.5 mi | 3,631 | 37% |
| Chelsea, MA | 4.1 mi | 4,188 | 53% |
| Everett, MA | 5.0 mi | 5,660 | 34% |
| Quincy, MA | 5.4 mi | 18,123 | 30% |
| Somerville, MA | 5.5 mi | 8,108 | 33% |
| Cambridge, MA | 5.7 mi | 14,440 | 24% |
Hospitals near Boston
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tufts Medical Center | Boston, MA | 2.4 mi | 2 of 5 | (617) 636-5000 |
| Boston Medical Center | Boston, MA | 2.8 mi | 3 of 5 | (617) 638-8000 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital | Boston, MA | 3.0 mi | 5 of 5 | (617) 726-2000 |
| Massachusetts Eye And Ear Infirmary - | Boston, MA | 3.0 mi | not rated | (617) 523-7900 |
Home health agencies serving Boston
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elara Caring | Braintree, MA | 9.0 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (617) 969-7517 |
| Central Home Health Care, Inc | Needham, MA | 11 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (617) 559-0200 |
| Patient Care Solutions, LLC | Danvers, MA | 16 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (781) 595-0311 |
| Caring Hearts Homecare Inc | Wilmington, MA | 17 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (978) 658-5104 |
| Legacy Lifecare Visiting Nurse Agency | Chelsea, MA | 4.1 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (617) 887-0826 |
| Primary Homecare Specialties | Milton, MA | 6.6 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, home health aides | (617) 696-0600 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Boston. 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 Boston
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 40% of the $4,257 monthly median income of Boston 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.
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 Boston: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Boston?
Tufts Medical Center in Boston, about 2.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Boston (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (617) 636-5000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Boston?
Medicare lists 85 certified agencies whose service area includes Boston ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (5 of 5), Central Home Health Care, Inc (5 of 5), Patient Care Solutions, LLC (5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Boston?
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 40% of the $4,257 monthly median income of Boston 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 senior care near Boston
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Winthrop Town, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Chelsea, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Everett, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Quincy, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Somerville, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Cambridge, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Revere, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Brookline, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Malden, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Hull, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Nahant, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Milton, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Medford, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Melrose, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Watertown, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Saugus, MA
Other care in Boston
- Companion Care in Boston
- Dementia Care in Boston
- Respite Care in Boston
- Live-In Caregivers in Boston
- Senior Transportation in Boston
- Home Health Aides in Boston
- Nursing Assistants in Boston
- Personal Care in Boston
- Overnight Caregivers in Boston
- 24-Hour Home Care in Boston
- Mobility Assistance in Boston
- Parkinson’s Care in Boston
- Stroke Recovery Support in Boston
- Disability Care for Adults in Boston
- Hospice Support in Boston
- Senior Meal Preparation in Boston
- Senior Housekeeping in Boston
- Medication Reminders in Boston
- Veterans’ Home Care in Boston
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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