Post-Surgery Care in Cortez, CO: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Cortez, CO: the local picture

0.5 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Cortez)

3

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Montezuma County)

1,775

residents 65 or older (20% of Cortez)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, about 0.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Mercy Regional Medical Center (40 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 3 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Cortez. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Cortez compared with Montezuma County and Colorado

Census figure	Cortez	Montezuma County	Colorado
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	20%	25%	16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	29%	28%
Households with no vehicle	4.9%	5.0%	5.2%
Residents 85 or older	3.4%	2.4%	1.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	13%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,828	$53,192	—

Older residents in towns around Cortez

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Durango, CO	39 mi	3,232	17%
Shiprock, NM	39 mi	914	66%
Flora Vista, NM	46 mi	401	44%
Farmington, NM	47 mi	7,670	38%
Crouch Mesa, NM	50 mi	424	49%
Aztec, NM	50 mi	1,000	33%

Hospitals near Cortez

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Southwest Memorial Hospital	Cortez, CO	0.5 mi	4 of 5	(970) 565-6666
Mercy Regional Medical Center	Durango, CO	40 mi	5 of 5	(970) 247-4311
Animas Surgical Hospital, LLC	Durango, CO	40 mi	not rated	(970) 247-3537

Home health agencies serving Cortez

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Pasco/Sw Home Health	Cortez, CO	0.5 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(970) 565-6833
Home Health Mercy	Durango, CO	40 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(970) 764-3500
Guardian Angel Home Health	Cortez, CO	0.5 mi	2 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(970) 565-7134

Straight-line miles from the center of Cortez. 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 Cortez

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,736 monthly median income of Cortez households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Cortez: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Cortez?

Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, about 0.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Cortez (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (970) 565-6666. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Cortez?

Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Cortez ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Pasco/Sw Home Health (4 of 5), Home Health Mercy (3.5 of 5), Guardian Angel Home Health (2 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Cortez?

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,736 monthly median income of Cortez households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Cortez

More senior care near Cortez

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Cortez

More for Cortez 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 Cortez, CO