Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Box Elder, SD
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 Box Elder for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Box Elder, SD: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Monument Health Rapid City Hospital in Rapid City, about 6.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Monument Health Sturgis Hospital (23 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 6 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Box Elder. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Box Elder compared with Pennington County and South Dakota
| Census figure | Box Elder | Pennington County | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 45% | 33% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 7.5% | 20% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 22% | 29% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.3% | 5.6% | 5.2% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.1% | 2.2% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 16% | 8.9% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $47,727 | $56,451 | — |
Older residents in towns around Box Elder
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Valley, SD | 3.6 mi | 1,292 | 37% |
| Rapid City, SD | 7.3 mi | 16,108 | 33% |
| Blackhawk, SD | 13 mi | 550 | 41% |
| Colonial Pine Hills, SD | 13 mi | 793 | 42% |
| Summerset, SD | 14 mi | 248 | 29% |
| Sturgis, SD | 29 mi | 1,375 | 42% |
Hospitals near Box Elder
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Health Rapid City Hospital | Rapid City, SD | 6.5 mi | 3 of 5 | (605) 755-1000 |
| Monument Health Sturgis Hospital | Sturgis, SD | 23 mi | not rated | (605) 720-2400 |
| Va Black Hills Healthcare System | Fort Meade, SD | 28 mi | 5 of 5 | (605) 347-2511 |
| Monument Health Custer Hospital | Custer, SD | 36 mi | not rated | (605) 673-9400 |
Home health agencies serving Box Elder
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Health Home Plus Home Health | Rapid City, SD | 12 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (605) 755-7710 |
| Good Samaritan Soc-Home Health Of The Black Hills | Rapid City, SD | 16 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (605) 342-0529 |
| State Home Care Services, Inc | Rapid City, SD | 6.5 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides | (605) 718-5004 |
| Heartland Home Health LLC | Belle Fourche, SD | 54 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (605) 723-4663 |
| Westhills Village Home Health | Rapid City, SD | 6.5 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (605) 342-3594 |
| Interim Healthcare | Rapid City, SD | 6.5 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides | (605) 348-5885 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Box Elder. 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 Box Elder
At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,977 monthly median income of Box Elder households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Box Elder: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Box Elder?
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital in Rapid City, about 6.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Box Elder (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (605) 755-1000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Box Elder?
Medicare lists 6 certified agencies whose service area includes Box Elder ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Monument Health Home Plus Home Health (5 of 5), Good Samaritan Soc-Home Health Of The Black Hills (5 of 5), State Home Care Services, Inc (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Box Elder?
At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,977 monthly median income of Box Elder households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Box Elder
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Rapid Valley, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Rapid City, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Blackhawk, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Colonial Pine Hills, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Summerset, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Sturgis, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Lead, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Spearfish, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Hot Springs, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Belle Fourche, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Newcastle, WY
Other care in Box Elder
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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