Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Columbia, 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 Columbia for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Columbia, IL: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mercy Hospital South in Saint Louis, about 9.0 mi away in a straight line, followed by Touchette Regional Hospital Inc (10 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 12 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Columbia. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Columbia compared with Monroe County and Illinois
| Census figure | Columbia | Monroe County | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 27% | 28% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 20% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 28% | 24% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.7% | 4.0% | 11% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.7% | 2.4% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.9% | 8.3% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $59,722 | $63,522 | — |
Older residents in towns around Columbia
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dupo, IL | 4.0 mi | 576 | 19% |
| Oakville, MO | 5.6 mi | 7,845 | 25% |
| Mehlville, MO | 6.1 mi | 6,316 | 34% |
| Lemay, MO | 6.4 mi | 2,439 | 43% |
| Millstadt, IL | 7.0 mi | 1,072 | 39% |
| Green Park, MO | 8.0 mi | 595 | 32% |
Hospitals near Columbia
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Hospital South | Saint Louis, MO | 9.0 mi | 2 of 5 | (314) 525-1000 |
| Touchette Regional Hospital Inc | Centreville, IL | 10 mi | not rated | (618) 332-3060 |
| Ssm Health Saint Louis University Hospital | Saint Louis, MO | 11 mi | 1 of 5 | (314) 257-8000 |
| Barnes Jewish Hospital | Saint Louis, MO | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | (314) 747-3000 |
Home health agencies serving Columbia
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evertrue Home Health | St. Louis, MO | 13 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (314) 352-7889 |
| Aw Health Care | Saint Louis, MO | 16 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (314) 726-5600 |
| Adoration Home Health | O Fallon, IL | 19 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (618) 622-8854 |
| Residential Home Health Of Southern Illinois | Glen Carbon, IL | 25 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (800) 642-6099 |
| Apollo Medical | Saint Louis, MO | 19 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (314) 692-0611 |
| Bjc Home Care Services | Saint Louis, MO | 19 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (314) 362-0200 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Columbia. 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 Columbia
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 32% of the $4,977 monthly median income of Columbia 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 Columbia: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Columbia?
Mercy Hospital South in Saint Louis, about 9.0 mi in a straight line from the center of Columbia (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (314) 525-1000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Columbia?
Medicare lists 12 certified agencies whose service area includes Columbia ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Evertrue Home Health (4.5 of 5), Aw Health Care (4.5 of 5), Adoration Home Health (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Columbia?
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 32% of the $4,977 monthly median income of Columbia 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 Columbia
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Dupo, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Oakville, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Mehlville, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Lemay, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Millstadt, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Green Park, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Concord, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Cahokia Heights, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Arnold, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Affton, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Waterloo, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Sappington, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Shrewsbury, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Crestwood, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Imperial, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Sunset Hills, MO
Other care in Columbia
- Companion Care in Columbia
- Dementia Care in Columbia
- Respite Care in Columbia
- Live-In Caregivers in Columbia
- Senior Transportation in Columbia
- Home Health Aides in Columbia
- Nursing Assistants in Columbia
- Personal Care in Columbia
- Overnight Caregivers in Columbia
- 24-Hour Home Care in Columbia
- Mobility Assistance in Columbia
- Parkinson’s Care in Columbia
- Stroke Recovery Support in Columbia
- Disability Care for Adults in Columbia
- Hospice Support in Columbia
- Senior Meal Preparation in Columbia
- Senior Housekeeping in Columbia
- Medication Reminders in Columbia
- Veterans’ Home Care in Columbia
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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