Post-Surgery Care in Forks, WA: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Forks, WA: the local picture

1.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Forks)

1

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

48%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Clallam County)

558

residents 65 or older (16% of Forks)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Forks Community Hospital in Forks, about 1.7 mi away in a straight line. 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 Forks. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Forks compared with Clallam County and Washington

Census figure	Forks	Clallam County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	48%	33%	33%
Residents 65 or older	16%	32%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	24%	26%
Households with no vehicle	7.7%	5.6%	7.1%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	3.0%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.5%	6.7%	8.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,118	$63,123	—

Older residents in towns around Forks

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Port Angeles, WA	45 mi	4,537	34%
Port Angeles East, WA	49 mi	878	39%
Sequim, WA	61 mi	3,722	28%
Ocean Shores, WA	69 mi	3,395	35%

Hospitals near Forks

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Forks Community Hospital	Forks, WA	1.7 mi	not rated	(360) 374-6271

Home health agencies serving Forks

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Olympic Medical Home Health	Port Angeles, WA	45 mi	2 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 417-7315

Straight-line miles from the center of Forks. 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 Forks

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 57% of the $3,510 monthly median income of Forks households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Forks: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Forks?

Forks Community Hospital in Forks, about 1.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Forks (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (360) 374-6271. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Forks?

Medicare lists 1 certified agencies whose service area includes Forks ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Olympic Medical Home Health (2 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Forks?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 57% of the $3,510 monthly median income of Forks households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Forks

More senior care near Forks

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Forks

More for Forks 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 Forks, WA