Post-Surgery Care in Ester, AK: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Ester, AK: the local picture

10 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Fairbanks)

1

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

1.4%

of residents 65+ report a disability (38% in Fairbanks North Star Borough)

359

residents 65 or older (13% of Ester)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in Fairbanks, about 10 mi away in a straight line, followed by Bassett Ach (Ft Wainwright) (12 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 1 certified home health agency whose service area includes Ester. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Ester compared with Fairbanks North Star Borough and Alaska

Census figure	Ester	Fairbanks North Star Borough	Alaska
Residents 65+ with a disability	1.4%	38%	35%
Residents 65 or older	13%	13%	14%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	72%	28%	27%
Households with no vehicle	8.4%	4.6%	9.0%
Residents 85 or older	0.0%	0.9%	0.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	29%	6.3%	8.3%

Older residents in towns around Ester

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Goldstream, AK	4.4 mi	630	42%
Chena Ridge, AK	5.9 mi	639	29%
College, AK	6.6 mi	2,077	28%
Farmers Loop, AK	10 mi	631	35%
Fairbanks, AK	12 mi	3,811	43%
Steele Creek, AK	18 mi	727	31%

Hospitals near Ester

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital	Fairbanks, AK	10 mi	2 of 5	(907) 452-8181
Bassett Ach (Ft Wainwright)	Fort Wainwright, AK	12 mi	not rated	(907) 361-4000

Home health agencies serving Ester

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Home Care	Fairbanks, AK	10 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(907) 458-5410

Straight-line miles from the center of Ester. 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 Ester

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in Alaska: consumer-directed personal care.

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 Ester: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Ester?

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in Fairbanks, about 10 mi in a straight line from the center of Ester (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (907) 452-8181. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Ester?

Medicare lists 1 certified agencies whose service area includes Ester ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Home Care (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Ester?

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 Ester

More senior care near Ester

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Ester

More for Ester families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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 Ester, AK