Post-Surgery Home Care in Fairbanks, AK

Local figures

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

0.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Fort Wainwright)

1

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

43%

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

3,811

residents 65 or older (12% of Fairbanks)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Bassett Ach (Ft Wainwright) in Fort Wainwright, about 0.6 mi away in a straight line, followed by Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (1.9 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 Fairbanks. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Fairbanks compared with Fairbanks North Star Borough and Alaska

Census figure	Fairbanks	Fairbanks North Star Borough	Alaska
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	38%	35%
Residents 65 or older	12%	13%	14%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	28%	27%
Households with no vehicle	8.0%	4.6%	9.0%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	0.9%	0.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.7%	6.3%	8.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$83,125	$74,887	—

Older residents in towns around Fairbanks

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Farmers Loop, AK	5.1 mi	631	35%
College, AK	5.4 mi	2,077	28%
Badger, AK	8.2 mi	2,263	45%
Steele Creek, AK	8.8 mi	727	31%
Chena Ridge, AK	12 mi	639	29%
Ester, AK	12 mi	359	1.4%

Hospitals near Fairbanks

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Bassett Ach (Ft Wainwright)	Fort Wainwright, AK	0.6 mi	not rated	(907) 361-4000
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital	Fairbanks, AK	1.9 mi	2 of 5	(907) 452-8181

Home health agencies serving Fairbanks

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Home Care	Fairbanks, AK	1.9 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(907) 458-5410

Straight-line miles from the center of Fairbanks. 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 Fairbanks

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, which is 24% of the $6,927 monthly median income of Fairbanks households headed by someone 65 or older. 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 Fairbanks: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Fairbanks?

Bassett Ach (Ft Wainwright) in Fort Wainwright, about 0.6 mi in a straight line from the center of Fairbanks (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (907) 361-4000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Fairbanks?

Medicare lists 1 certified agencies whose service area includes Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks?

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, which is 24% of the $6,927 monthly median income of Fairbanks households headed by someone 65 or older. 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 Fairbanks

More senior care near Fairbanks

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fairbanks

More for Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks, AK