Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Gunnison, CO
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 Gunnison for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Gunnison, CO: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Gunnison Valley Hospital in Gunnison, about 0.4 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 Gunnison. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Gunnison compared with Gunnison County and Colorado
| Census figure | Gunnison | Gunnison County | Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 43% | 28% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 9.6% | 15% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 49% | 28% | 28% |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.2% | 2.4% | 5.2% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.5% | 0.7% | 1.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 8.9% | 8.7% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $31,408 | $78,393 | — |
Older residents in towns around Gunnison
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen, CO | 45 mi | 1,174 | 26% |
| Snowmass Village, CO | 46 mi | 1,038 | 12% |
| Buena Vista, CO | 47 mi | 152 | 9.9% |
| Salida, CO | 50 mi | 1,361 | 24% |
| Montrose, CO | 51 mi | 5,822 | 29% |
| Basalt, CO | 57 mi | 1,038 | 17% |
Hospitals near Gunnison
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnison Valley Hospital | Gunnison, CO | 0.4 mi | not rated | (970) 641-1456 |
Home health agencies serving Gunnison
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnison Valley Health Home Medical Services | Gunnison, CO | 0.4 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (970) 641-4254 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Gunnison. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What post-surgery care costs in Gunnison
At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 61% of the $2,617 monthly median income of Gunnison households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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.
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.
Post-Surgery Care in Gunnison: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Gunnison?
Gunnison Valley Hospital in Gunnison, about 0.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Gunnison (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (970) 641-1456. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Gunnison?
Medicare lists 1 certified agencies whose service area includes Gunnison ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Gunnison Valley Health Home Medical Services (2.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Gunnison?
At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 61% of the $2,617 monthly median income of Gunnison households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 senior care near Gunnison
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Aspen, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Snowmass Village, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Buena Vista, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Salida, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Montrose, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Basalt, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Leadville, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Orchard City, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in El Jebel, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Carbondale, CO
- Post-Surgery Care in Delta, CO
Other care in Gunnison
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.
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