Elizabethtown, North Carolina

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Elizabethtown, NC

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 Elizabethtown for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A younger man supporting an older man's arm as they walk through a bright living room
Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Elizabethtown, NC: the local picture

2.5 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Elizabethtown)
8
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Elizabethtown ZIP codes in their service area
41%
of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Bladen County)
1,003
residents 65 or older (31% of Elizabethtown)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown, about 2.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Columbus Regional Healthcare System (22 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 8 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Elizabethtown. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Elizabethtown compared with Bladen County and North Carolina

Census figureElizabethtownBladen CountyNorth Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability41%32%33%
Residents 65 or older31%23%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone58%31%28%
Households with no vehicle21%7.8%5.3%
Residents 85 or older4.8%2.2%1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)14%14%11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$32,563$36,681—

Older residents in towns around Elizabethtown

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Whiteville, NC21 mi83831%
Lumberton, NC23 mi3,05545%
St. Pauls, NC25 mi48753%
Clinton, NC30 mi2,01742%
Hope Mills, NC31 mi2,27938%
Pembroke, NC34 mi32647%

Hospitals near Elizabethtown

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County HospitalElizabethtown, NC2.5 minot rated(910) 862-5100
Columbus Regional Healthcare SystemWhiteville, NC22 mi1 of 5(910) 642-8011
Southeastern Regional Medical CenterLumberton, NC23 mi2 of 5(910) 671-5000
Sampson Regional Medical CenterClinton, NC32 mi2 of 5(910) 592-8511

Home health agencies serving Elizabethtown

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Centerwell Home HealthLumberton, NC23 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, home health aides—
Aveanna Home HealthFayetteville, NC37 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides—
Pruitthealth At Home - BrunswickLeland, NC40 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(910) 473-5104
Well Care Home HealthWilmington, NC49 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(910) 362-9405
Well Care Home Health Of The Southern Triangle, Inc.Holly Springs, NC71 mi4.5 of 5—(919) 346-0075
Liberty Home CareWhiteville, NC22 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(910) 642-5808

Straight-line miles from the center of Elizabethtown. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

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
Cost

What post-surgery care costs in Elizabethtown

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 48% of the $2,714 monthly median income of Elizabethtown households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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.

Before you hire

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.

Questions

Post-Surgery Care in Elizabethtown: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Elizabethtown?

Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown, about 2.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Elizabethtown (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (910) 862-5100. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Elizabethtown?

Medicare lists 8 certified agencies whose service area includes Elizabethtown ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Aveanna Home Health (4.5 of 5), Pruitthealth At Home - Brunswick (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Elizabethtown?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 48% of the $2,714 monthly median income of Elizabethtown households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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.

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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