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

Local figures

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

0.5 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Craig)

1

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

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Moffat County)

1,538

residents 65 or older (17% of Craig)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Memorial Hospital, The in Craig, about 0.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center (34 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 1 certified home health agency whose service area includes Craig. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Craig compared with Moffat County and Colorado

Census figure	Craig	Moffat County	Colorado
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	33%	30%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	31%	28%
Households with no vehicle	6.0%	4.6%	5.2%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.0%	1.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	3.8%	7.3%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$40,327	$41,769	—

Older residents in towns around Craig

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Meeker, CO	37 mi	483	33%
Steamboat Springs, CO	39 mi	2,424	23%
New Castle, CO	65 mi	775	39%
Silt, CO	67 mi	274	26%
Glenwood Springs, CO	68 mi	1,364	26%
Rifle, CO	69 mi	1,015	33%

Hospitals near Craig

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Memorial Hospital, The	Craig, CO	0.5 mi	not rated	(970) 824-9411
Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center	Steamboat Springs, CO	34 mi	not rated	(970) 879-1322
Eastern Rio Blanco County Health Service District	Meeker, CO	38 mi	not rated	(970) 878-5047

Home health agencies serving Craig

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Northwest Colorado Health	Steamboat Springs, CO	34 mi	2 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(970) 879-1632

Straight-line miles from the center of Craig. 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 Craig

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 48% of the $3,361 monthly median income of Craig 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 Craig: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Craig?

Memorial Hospital, The in Craig, about 0.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Craig (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (970) 824-9411. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Craig?

Medicare lists 1 certified agencies whose service area includes Craig ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Northwest Colorado Health (2 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Craig?

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 48% of the $3,361 monthly median income of Craig 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 Craig

More senior care near Craig

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Craig

More for Craig 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 Craig, CO