Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Hardin, MT
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 Hardin for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Hardin, MT: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Big Horn Hospital in Hardin, about 0.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by P H S Indian Hospital Crow / Northern Cheyenne (9.4 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare's file lists no certified home health agency for Hardin ZIP codes, which makes private help at home more important after surgery. Ask the hospital's discharge planner which agencies will travel to you.
Hardin compared with Big Horn County and Montana
| Census figure | Hardin | Big Horn County | Montana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 40% | 37% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 14% | 14% | 20% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 30% | 23% | 29% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.8% | 6.9% | 4.7% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.1% | 1.0% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 20% | 16% | 9.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $60,347 | $57,401 | — |
Older residents in towns around Hardin
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockwood, MT | 38 mi | 1,212 | 43% |
| Billings, MT | 46 mi | 22,510 | 35% |
| Laurel, MT | 57 mi | 1,046 | 49% |
Hospitals near Hardin
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Horn Hospital | Hardin, MT | 0.5 mi | not rated | (406) 665-2310 |
| P H S Indian Hospital Crow / Northern Cheyenne | Crow Agency, MT | 9.4 mi | not rated | (406) 638-2626 |
| Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital | Billings, MT | 38 mi | 4 of 5 | (406) 657-7000 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Hardin. 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 Hardin
At the Montana median aide wage of $17.61 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,526 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,029 monthly median income of Hardin households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 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 Hardin: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Hardin?
Big Horn Hospital in Hardin, about 0.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Hardin (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (406) 665-2310. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Hardin?
Medicare’s file lists none for Hardin ZIP codes. Ask the hospital discharge planner or your doctor which agencies travel to you, or hire an aide directly.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Hardin?
At the Montana median aide wage of $17.61 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,526 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,029 monthly median income of Hardin households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 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 Hardin
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
Other care in Hardin
- Companion Care in Hardin
- Dementia Care in Hardin
- Respite Care in Hardin
- Live-In Caregivers in Hardin
- Senior Transportation in Hardin
- Home Health Aides in Hardin
- Nursing Assistants in Hardin
- Personal Care in Hardin
- Overnight Caregivers in Hardin
- 24-Hour Home Care in Hardin
- Mobility Assistance in Hardin
- Parkinson’s Care in Hardin
- Stroke Recovery Support in Hardin
- Disability Care for Adults in Hardin
- Hospice Support in Hardin
- Senior Meal Preparation in Hardin
- Senior Housekeeping in Hardin
- Medication Reminders in Hardin
- Veterans’ Home Care in Hardin
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.
Find post-surgery care in Hardin
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Hardin can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
