Post-Surgery Home Care in Brainerd, MN

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Brainerd, MN: the local picture

4.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Brainerd)

9

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

45%

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

2,562

residents 65 or older (18% of Brainerd)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, about 4.7 mi away in a straight line, followed by Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (15 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 9 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Brainerd. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Brainerd compared with Crow Wing County and Minnesota

Census figure	Brainerd	Crow Wing County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	30%	28%
Residents 65 or older	18%	24%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	48%	29%	30%
Households with no vehicle	13%	4.9%	6.7%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	3.0%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	9.0%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,250	$56,498	—

Older residents in towns around Brainerd

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Baxter, MN	3.8 mi	2,095	26%
Breezy Point, MN	18 mi	656	21%
Crosslake, MN	23 mi	1,012	27%
Little Falls, MN	27 mi	2,345	39%
Long Prairie, MN	41 mi	887	35%
Wadena, MN	45 mi	803	46%

Hospitals near Brainerd

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center	Brainerd, MN	4.7 mi	3 of 5	(218) 829-2861
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center	Crosby, MN	15 mi	3 of 5	(218) 546-2300
Lakewood Health System	Staples, MN	27 mi	not rated	(218) 894-1515
St Gabriels Hospital	Little Falls, MN	27 mi	4 of 5	(320) 632-5441

Home health agencies serving Brainerd

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Aveanna Home Health	Grand Rapids, MN	69 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(218) 326-0004
Good Samaritan Home Health	Nisswa, MN	11 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(218) 963-9452
Mille Lacs Home Care	Onamia, MN	31 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(320) 532-2800
Vivie Home Health	Alexandria, MN	66 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(320) 759-1273
Lakewood Health System Home Care & Hospice	Staples, MN	27 mi	2 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(218) 894-8080
Good Neighbor Hhc Of Brainerd	Baxter, MN	4.1 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(218) 829-9238

Straight-line miles from the center of Brainerd. 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 Brainerd

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,438 monthly median income of Brainerd households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Brainerd: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Brainerd?

Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, about 4.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Brainerd (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (218) 829-2861. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Brainerd?

Medicare lists 9 certified agencies whose service area includes Brainerd ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Aveanna Home Health (5 of 5), Good Samaritan Home Health (4.5 of 5), Mille Lacs Home Care (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Brainerd?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,438 monthly median income of Brainerd households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Brainerd

More senior care near Brainerd

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Brainerd

More for Brainerd 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 Brainerd, MN