Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in California, MO
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 California for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in California, MO: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Ssm Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jefferson City in Jefferson City, about 18 mi away in a straight line, followed by University Of Missouri Health Care (25 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 8 certified home health agencies whose service area includes California. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
California compared with Moniteau County and Missouri
| Census figure | California | Moniteau County | Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 44% | 37% | 34% |
| Residents 65 or older | 19% | 17% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 56% | 40% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.9% | 6.6% | 6.6% |
| Residents 85 or older | 3.1% | 2.4% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 21% | 12% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $24,383 | $37,173 | — |
Older residents in towns around California
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tipton, MO | 12 mi | 415 | 30% |
| Eldon, MO | 19 mi | 1,058 | 52% |
| Versailles, MO | 20 mi | 715 | 70% |
| Jefferson City, MO | 22 mi | 7,426 | 29% |
| Ashland, MO | 22 mi | 733 | 37% |
| Holts Summit, MO | 25 mi | 758 | 31% |
Hospitals near California
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ssm Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jefferson City | Jefferson City, MO | 18 mi | 3 of 5 | (573) 681-3000 |
| University Of Missouri Health Care | Columbia, MO | 25 mi | 3 of 5 | (573) 882-4141 |
| Boone Hospital Center | Columbia, MO | 26 mi | 4 of 5 | (573) 815-8000 |
| Columbia Mo Va Medical Center | Columbia, MO | 26 mi | 4 of 5 | (573) 814-6000 |
Home health agencies serving California
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Columbia, MO | 24 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy | (573) 256-4705 |
| Elara Caring | Jefferson City, MO | 18 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (800) 690-1753 |
| Central Missouri Home Health | Jefferson City, MO | 18 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides | (573) 681-3777 |
| Phoenix Home Care | Jefferson City, MO | 23 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (573) 635-3900 |
| Capital Region Home Health | Jefferson City, MO | 18 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (573) 632-5750 |
| Hometown Homecare | Fayette, MO | 36 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (660) 248-2100 |
Straight-line miles from the center of California. 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 California
At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 68% of the $2,032 monthly median income of California households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri'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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.
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 California: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to California?
Ssm Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jefferson City in Jefferson City, about 18 mi in a straight line from the center of California (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (573) 681-3000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve California?
Medicare lists 8 certified agencies whose service area includes California ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Central Missouri Home Health (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in California?
At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 68% of the $2,032 monthly median income of California households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri'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 California
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Tipton, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Eldon, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Versailles, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Jefferson City, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Ashland, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Holts Summit, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Boonville, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Columbia, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Osage Beach, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Fayette, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Sedalia, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Fulton, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Camdenton, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Centralia, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Marshall, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Windsor, MO
Other care in California
- Companion Care in California
- Dementia Care in California
- Respite Care in California
- Live-In Caregivers in California
- Senior Transportation in California
- Home Health Aides in California
- Nursing Assistants in California
- Personal Care in California
- Overnight Caregivers in California
- 24-Hour Home Care in California
- Mobility Assistance in California
- Parkinson’s Care in California
- Stroke Recovery Support in California
- Disability Care for Adults in California
- Hospice Support in California
- Senior Meal Preparation in California
- Senior Housekeeping in California
- Medication Reminders in California
- Veterans’ Home Care in California
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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