Fort Knox, Kentucky

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Fort Knox, KY

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

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Fort Knox, KY: the local picture

15 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Elizabethtown)
5
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Fort Knox ZIP codes in their service area
60%
of residents 65+ report a disability (39% in Hardin County)
156
residents 65 or older (1.8% of Fort Knox)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown, about 15 mi away in a straight line, followed by Harrison County Hospital (24 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 5 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Fort Knox. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Fort Knox compared with Hardin County and Kentucky

Census figureFort KnoxHardin CountyKentucky
Residents 65+ with a disability60%39%39%
Residents 65 or older1.8%15%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone19%31%30%
Households with no vehicle4.3%6.6%6.8%
Residents 85 or older0.1%1.5%1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)9.0%11%13%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$64,722$50,654—

Older residents in towns around Fort Knox

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Radcliff, KY5.2 mi3,16936%
Vine Grove, KY5.6 mi90852%
Brandenburg, KY14 mi49654%
Elizabethtown, KY14 mi4,84841%
Shepherdsville, KY16 mi1,51748%
Hillview, KY19 mi98541%

Hospitals near Fort Knox

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Baptist Health HardinElizabethtown, KY15 mi3 of 5(270) 737-1212
Harrison County HospitalCorydon, IN24 mi3 of 5(812) 738-4251
Uofl Health - Jewish Hospital And Mary & Elizabeth HospitalLouisville, KY28 mi2 of 5(502) 587-4011
Norton Hospitals, IncLouisville, KY28 mi2 of 5(502) 629-8000

Home health agencies serving Fort Knox

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Centerwell Home HealthElizabethtown, KY15 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(270) 763-9242
Caresouth Hha Holdings Of Winchester, LLC Dba Enhabit Home HealthOwensboro, KY66 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(270) 685-4663
Family Home Health Care, LLC Dba Adoration Home HealthColumbia, KY66 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(270) 384-6411
Saint Joseph-Anc Home Care Services, LLC D/B/A Commonspirit At Home- LouisvilleLouisville, KY22 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(502) 584-2456
CaretendersElizabethtown, KY15 mi3 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(270) 234-2273

Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Knox. 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 Fort Knox

At the Kentucky median aide wage of $17.52 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,518 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,394 monthly median income of Fort Knox households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kentucky'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 How to get paid to care for a family member in Kentucky: Participant Directed Services.

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 Fort Knox: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Fort Knox?

Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown, about 15 mi in a straight line from the center of Fort Knox (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (270) 737-1212. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Fort Knox?

Medicare lists 5 certified agencies whose service area includes Fort Knox ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Caresouth Hha Holdings Of Winchester, LLC Dba Enhabit Home Health (4 of 5), Family Home Health Care, LLC Dba Adoration Home Health (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Fort Knox?

At the Kentucky median aide wage of $17.52 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,518 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,394 monthly median income of Fort Knox households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kentucky'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 (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.

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