Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Des Moines, WA
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 Des Moines for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Des Moines, WA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Highline Medical Center in Burien, about 4.6 mi away in a straight line, followed by St Francis Community Hospital (4.7 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 19 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Des Moines. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Des Moines compared with King County and Washington
| Census figure | Des Moines | King County | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 30% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 14% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 28% | 28% | 26% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.4% | 11% | 7.1% |
| Residents 85 or older | 3.3% | 1.7% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 9.1% | 9.3% | 8.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $71,774 | $76,893 | — |
Older residents in towns around Des Moines
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normandy Park, WA | 3.3 mi | 1,423 | 24% |
| SeaTac, WA | 3.9 mi | 4,141 | 48% |
| Lakeland North, WA | 3.9 mi | 2,417 | 47% |
| Kent, WA | 4.9 mi | 16,138 | 35% |
| Federal Way, WA | 5.4 mi | 14,965 | 34% |
| Burien, WA | 6.1 mi | 8,213 | 36% |
Hospitals near Des Moines
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highline Medical Center | Burien, WA | 4.6 mi | 4 of 5 | (206) 431-5237 |
| St Francis Community Hospital | Federal Way, WA | 4.7 mi | 4 of 5 | (253) 944-8100 |
| Multicare Auburn Medical Center | Auburn, WA | 6.0 mi | 2 of 5 | (253) 833-7711 |
| Valley Medical Center | Renton, WA | 7.4 mi | 2 of 5 | (425) 228-3450 |
Home health agencies serving Des Moines
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kline Galland Home Health | Seattle, WA | 11 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (206) 805-1930 |
| Eden Home Health | Tukwila, WA | 21 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (360) 717-8161 |
| Evergreenhealth Home Care Services | Kirkland, WA | 24 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (425) 899-3300 |
| Signature Healthcare At Home | Federal Way, WA | 4.7 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (253) 661-5166 |
| Puget Sound Home Health Of King County | Tacoma, WA | 15 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, medical social work | (253) 735-4282 |
| Amedisys Home Health | Bellevue, WA | 17 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work | (225) 292-2031 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Des Moines. 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 Des Moines
At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $5,981 monthly median income of Des Moines households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Des Moines: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Des Moines?
Highline Medical Center in Burien, about 4.6 mi in a straight line from the center of Des Moines (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (206) 431-5237. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Des Moines?
Medicare lists 19 certified agencies whose service area includes Des Moines ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Kline Galland Home Health (4.5 of 5), Eden Home Health (4.5 of 5), Evergreenhealth Home Care Services (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Des Moines?
At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $5,981 monthly median income of Des Moines households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Des Moines
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Normandy Park, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in SeaTac, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lakeland North, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Kent, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Federal Way, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Burien, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Tukwila, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Vashon, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Auburn, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lakeland South, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Algona, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Bryn Mawr-Skyway, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in White Center, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Renton, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Boulevard Park, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Fairwood, WA
Other care in Des Moines
- Companion Care in Des Moines
- Dementia Care in Des Moines
- Respite Care in Des Moines
- Live-In Caregivers in Des Moines
- Senior Transportation in Des Moines
- Home Health Aides in Des Moines
- Nursing Assistants in Des Moines
- Personal Care in Des Moines
- Overnight Caregivers in Des Moines
- 24-Hour Home Care in Des Moines
- Mobility Assistance in Des Moines
- Parkinson’s Care in Des Moines
- Stroke Recovery Support in Des Moines
- Disability Care for Adults in Des Moines
- Hospice Support in Des Moines
- Senior Meal Preparation in Des Moines
- Senior Housekeeping in Des Moines
- Medication Reminders in Des Moines
- Veterans’ Home Care in Des Moines
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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