Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Echols County, GA

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Clinch Memorial Hospital in Homerville, about 25 mi away in a straight line, followed by Sgmc Health Lanier (25 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare's file lists no certified home health agency for Echols County ZIP codes, which makes private help at home more important after surgery. Ask the hospital's discharge planner which agencies will travel to you.

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $4,010 monthly median income of Echols County households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (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.