Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Chicago, IL
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 Chicago for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Chicago, IL: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is MT Sinai Hospital Medical Center in Chicago, about 1.3 mi away in a straight line, followed by Saint Anthony Hospital (1.8 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 421 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Chicago. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Chicago compared with Cook County and Illinois
| Census figure | Chicago | Cook County | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 32% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 14% | 16% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 36% | 32% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 27% | 18% | 11% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.7% | 2.0% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 18% | 13% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $46,743 | $56,774 | — |
Older residents in towns around Chicago
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero, IL | 3.9 mi | 9,138 | 27% |
| Stickney, IL | 4.8 mi | 1,152 | 15% |
| Berwyn, IL | 5.5 mi | 7,625 | 24% |
| Oak Park, IL | 6.4 mi | 9,454 | 29% |
| Riverside, IL | 6.8 mi | 1,784 | 19% |
| Forest Park, IL | 7.1 mi | 2,651 | 32% |
Hospitals near Chicago
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT Sinai Hospital Medical Center | Chicago, IL | 1.3 mi | 1 of 5 | (773) 542-2000 |
| Saint Anthony Hospital | Chicago, IL | 1.8 mi | 2 of 5 | (773) 521-1710 |
| Insight Hospital And Medical Center Chicago | Chicago, IL | 2.8 mi | 1 of 5 | (312) 567-2000 |
| Jesse Brown Va Medical Center - Va Chicago Healthcare System | Chicago, IL | 3.0 mi | 4 of 5 | (312) 569-8387 |
Home health agencies serving Chicago
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mhn My Home Nurses | Chicago, IL | 5.0 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (708) 801-8662 |
| Sunny Hill Home Health Care, Inc | Oak Lawn, IL | 9.2 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (708) 424-7025 |
| All Family Health Care, Inc | Chicago, IL | 11 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (773) 775-2588 |
| Best Care Home Health, Inc. | Lincolnwood, IL | 12 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (630) 645-9600 |
| Alphonsa Home Health Care, Inc | Elmhurst, IL | 14 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (630) 758-4077 |
| Home Care Experts | Burr Ridge, IL | 14 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (224) 500-2625 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Chicago. 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 Chicago
At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Chicago: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Chicago?
MT Sinai Hospital Medical Center in Chicago, about 1.3 mi in a straight line from the center of Chicago (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (773) 542-2000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Chicago?
Medicare lists 421 certified agencies whose service area includes Chicago ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Mhn My Home Nurses (5 of 5), Sunny Hill Home Health Care, Inc (5 of 5), All Family Health Care, Inc (5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Chicago?
At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Chicago
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Cicero, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Stickney, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Berwyn, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Oak Park, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Riverside, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Forest Park, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Lyons, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in North Riverside, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Summit, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Hometown, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Burbank, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in River Forest, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Evergreen Park, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Brookfield, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Maywood, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Broadview, IL
Other care in Chicago
- Companion Care in Chicago
- Dementia Care in Chicago
- Respite Care in Chicago
- Live-In Caregivers in Chicago
- Senior Transportation in Chicago
- Home Health Aides in Chicago
- Nursing Assistants in Chicago
- Personal Care in Chicago
- Overnight Caregivers in Chicago
- 24-Hour Home Care in Chicago
- Mobility Assistance in Chicago
- Parkinson’s Care in Chicago
- Stroke Recovery Support in Chicago
- Disability Care for Adults in Chicago
- Hospice Support in Chicago
- Senior Meal Preparation in Chicago
- Senior Housekeeping in Chicago
- Medication Reminders in Chicago
- Veterans’ Home Care in Chicago
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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