Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Duluth, MN
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 Duluth for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Duluth, MN: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Essentia Health St Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, about 2.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by St Lukes Hospital (2.5 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 10 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Duluth. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Duluth compared with St. Louis County and Minnesota
| Census figure | Duluth | St. Louis County | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 30% | 30% | 28% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 21% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 37% | 32% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 10% | 8.0% | 6.7% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.3% | 2.5% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 9.6% | 9.5% | 8.8% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $55,688 | $54,929 | — |
Older residents in towns around Duluth
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proctor, MN | 5.0 mi | 732 | 45% |
| Hermantown, MN | 5.4 mi | 1,737 | 30% |
| Superior, WI | 6.2 mi | 4,778 | 37% |
| Rice Lake, MN | 9.3 mi | 949 | 19% |
| Cloquet, MN | 18 mi | 2,175 | 33% |
| Two Harbors, MN | 28 mi | 694 | 40% |
Hospitals near Duluth
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentia Health St Mary's Medical Center | Duluth, MN | 2.5 mi | 4 of 5 | (218) 786-3574 |
| St Lukes Hospital | Duluth, MN | 2.5 mi | 3 of 5 | (218) 249-2449 |
| St Marys Hospital Superior | Superior, WI | 5.4 mi | not rated | (715) 817-7000 |
| Community Memorial Hospital | Cloquet, MN | 19 mi | not rated | (218) 879-4641 |
Home health agencies serving Duluth
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveanna Home Health | Duluth, MN | 2.9 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (218) 733-3485 |
| Centerwell Home Health | Duluth, MN | 2.9 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (800) 677-2244 |
| Ecumen Home Care Lakeshore | Duluth, MN | 8.2 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (218) 625-7848 |
| Essentia Health Moose Lake Home Care | Moose Lake, MN | 37 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (218) 485-5506 |
| Tru Home Health, Inc | Arden Hills, MN | 128 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (612) 767-6272 |
| Caringedge Healthcare Of Hermantown LLC | Hermantown, MN | 4.2 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (218) 216-7243 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Duluth. 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 Duluth
At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,641 monthly median income of Duluth households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Duluth: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Duluth?
Essentia Health St Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, about 2.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Duluth (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (218) 786-3574. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Duluth?
Medicare lists 10 certified agencies whose service area includes Duluth ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Aveanna Home Health (4.5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (4 of 5), Ecumen Home Care Lakeshore (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Duluth?
At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,641 monthly median income of Duluth households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Duluth
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Proctor, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Hermantown, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Superior, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Rice Lake, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Cloquet, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Two Harbors, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Moose Lake, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Eveleth, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Virginia, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Mountain Iron, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Hibbing, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Chisholm, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Ashland, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Hayward, WI
Other care in Duluth
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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