Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Decatur, AL
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 Decatur for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Decatur, AL: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Decatur Morgan Hospital - Decatur Campus in Decatur, about 1.1 mi away in a straight line, followed by Athens Limestone Hospital (16 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 14 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Decatur. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Decatur compared with Morgan County and Alabama
| Census figure | Decatur | Morgan County | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 39% | 40% | 38% |
| Residents 65 or older | 18% | 18% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 39% | 32% | 29% |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.8% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.8% | 1.9% | 1.7% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 12% | 13% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $46,447 | $48,229 | — |
Older residents in towns around Decatur
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity, AL | 5.5 mi | 459 | 37% |
| Priceville, AL | 6.8 mi | 461 | 44% |
| Hartselle, AL | 9.6 mi | 2,752 | 46% |
| Triana, AL | 14 mi | 325 | 53% |
| Athens, AL | 14 mi | 5,066 | 32% |
| Madison, AL | 16 mi | 7,628 | 25% |
Hospitals near Decatur
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur Morgan Hospital - Decatur Campus | Decatur, AL | 1.1 mi | 3 of 5 | (256) 341-2000 |
| Athens Limestone Hospital | Athens, AL | 16 mi | 2 of 5 | (256) 233-9292 |
| Huntsville Hospital | Huntsville, AL | 26 mi | 3 of 5 | (256) 265-1000 |
| Crestwood Medical Center | Huntsville, AL | 26 mi | 3 of 5 | (256) 429-4000 |
Home health agencies serving Decatur
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Moulton, AL | 14 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (256) 974-2741 |
| Prohealth Home Health, LLC | Huntsville, AL | 25 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (256) 945-9100 |
| Adoration Home Health | Biloxi, MS | 303 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides | (228) 388-4144 |
| Adoration Home Health | Gulfport, MS | 309 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (228) 831-9821 |
| Amedisys Home Health, A Lawrence Medical Center Partner | Moulton, AL | 14 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (256) 974-2298 |
| Aveanna Home Health | Athens, AL | 16 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (256) 427-4657 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Decatur. 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 Decatur
At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $3,871 monthly median income of Decatur households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).
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 Decatur: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Decatur?
Decatur Morgan Hospital - Decatur Campus in Decatur, about 1.1 mi in a straight line from the center of Decatur (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (256) 341-2000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Decatur?
Medicare lists 14 certified agencies whose service area includes Decatur ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Prohealth Home Health, LLC (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 Decatur?
At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $3,871 monthly median income of Decatur households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).
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 Decatur
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Trinity, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Priceville, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Hartselle, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Triana, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Athens, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Madison, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Moulton, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Huntsville, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Harvest, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Cullman, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Owens Cross Roads, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Meridianville, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Arab, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Good Hope, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in Moores Mill, AL
- Post-Surgery Care in New Hope, AL
Other care in Decatur
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.
Find post-surgery care in Decatur
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Decatur can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
