Post-Surgery Home Care in Ellsworth, ME

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Ellsworth, ME: the local picture

3.9 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Ellsworth)

6

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Ellsworth ZIP codes in their service area

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Hancock County)

1,913

residents 65 or older (22% of Ellsworth)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth, about 3.9 mi away in a straight line, followed by Northern Light Blue Hill Memorial Hospital (12 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 6 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Ellsworth. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Ellsworth compared with Hancock County and Maine

Census figure	Ellsworth	Hancock County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	29%	31%
Residents 65 or older	22%	27%	22%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	29%	29%
Households with no vehicle	12%	6.2%	6.8%
Residents 85 or older	3.3%	2.7%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.4%	6.6%	9.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$51,708	$60,116	—

Older residents in towns around Ellsworth

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Bucksport, ME	16 mi	1,040	34%
Brewer, ME	19 mi	2,163	36%
Hampden, ME	21 mi	962	43%
Bangor, ME	23 mi	6,353	41%
Orono, ME	23 mi	1,227	25%
Old Town, ME	29 mi	1,259	36%

Hospitals near Ellsworth

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital	Ellsworth, ME	3.9 mi	3 of 5	(207) 667-5311
Northern Light Blue Hill Memorial Hospital	Blue Hill, ME	12 mi	not rated	(207) 374-2836
Mount Desert Island Hospital	Bar Harbor, ME	19 mi	not rated	(207) 288-5081
St Joseph Hospital	Bangor, ME	23 mi	3 of 5	(207) 262-1000

Home health agencies serving Ellsworth

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Centerwell Home Health	Bangor, ME	23 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy	(207) 990-9000
Amedisys Home Health	Bangor, ME	23 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy	(207) 990-0029
Mount Desert Nursing Assoc	Northeast Harbor, ME	22 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy	(207) 276-5184
Community Health & Counseling Services	Bangor, ME	21 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(207) 947-0366
Northern Light Home Care & Hospice	So Portland, ME	111 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(800) 757-3326
St Joseph Homecare	Bangor, ME	23 mi	2.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(207) 907-1810

Straight-line miles from the center of Ellsworth. 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 Ellsworth

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $4,309 monthly median income of Ellsworth households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Ellsworth: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Ellsworth?

Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth, about 3.9 mi in a straight line from the center of Ellsworth (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (207) 667-5311. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Ellsworth?

Medicare lists 6 certified agencies whose service area includes Ellsworth ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Amedisys Home Health (4 of 5), Mount Desert Nursing Assoc (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Ellsworth?

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $4,309 monthly median income of Ellsworth households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 near Ellsworth

More senior care near Ellsworth

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Ellsworth

More for Ellsworth families

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.

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Ellsworth, ME