Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Durango, CO
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 Durango for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Durango, CO: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, about 1.7 mi away in a straight line, followed by Animas Surgical Hospital, LLC (1.7 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 Durango. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Durango compared with La Plata County and Colorado
| Census figure | Durango | La Plata County | Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 17% | 21% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 21% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 34% | 24% | 28% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.9% | 2.7% | 5.2% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.3% | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 4.2% | 6.5% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $69,958 | $69,214 | — |
Older residents in towns around Durango
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayfield, CO | 16 mi | 240 | 17% |
| Aztec, NM | 31 mi | 1,000 | 33% |
| Flora Vista, NM | 34 mi | 401 | 44% |
| Bloomfield, NM | 36 mi | 1,140 | 49% |
| Crouch Mesa, NM | 38 mi | 424 | 49% |
| Cortez, CO | 39 mi | 1,775 | 38% |
Hospitals near Durango
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Regional Medical Center | Durango, CO | 1.7 mi | 5 of 5 | (970) 247-4311 |
| Animas Surgical Hospital, LLC | Durango, CO | 1.7 mi | not rated | (970) 247-3537 |
| Southwest Memorial Hospital | Cortez, CO | 40 mi | 4 of 5 | (970) 565-6666 |
| San Juan Regional Medical Center Inc | Farmington, NM | 40 mi | 2 of 5 | (505) 609-2000 |
Home health agencies serving Durango
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasco/Sw Home Health | Cortez, CO | 40 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 | 1.7 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 | 40 mi | 2 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides | (970) 565-7134 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Durango. 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 Durango
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 28% of the $5,830 monthly median income of Durango 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.
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 Durango: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Durango?
Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, about 1.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Durango (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (970) 247-4311. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Durango?
Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Durango 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 Durango?
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 28% of the $5,830 monthly median income of Durango 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 senior care near Durango
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Bayfield, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Aztec, NM
- Post-Surgery Care in Flora Vista, NM
- Post-Surgery Care in Bloomfield, NM
- Post-Surgery Care in Crouch Mesa, NM
- Post-Surgery Care in Cortez, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Farmington, NM
- Post-Surgery Care in Lee Acres, NM
- Post-Surgery Care in Dulce, NM
- Post-Surgery Care in Shiprock, NM
Other care in Durango
- Companion Care in Durango
- Dementia Care in Durango
- Respite Care in Durango
- Live-In Caregivers in Durango
- Senior Transportation in Durango
- Home Health Aides in Durango
- Nursing Assistants in Durango
- Personal Care in Durango
- Overnight Caregivers in Durango
- 24-Hour Home Care in Durango
- Mobility Assistance in Durango
- Parkinson’s Care in Durango
- Stroke Recovery Support in Durango
- Disability Care for Adults in Durango
- Hospice Support in Durango
- Senior Meal Preparation in Durango
- Senior Housekeeping in Durango
- Medication Reminders in Durango
- Veterans’ Home Care in Durango
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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