Post-Surgery Care in Hays, KS: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Hays, KS: the local picture

0.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Hays)

4

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

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Ellis County)

3,332

residents 65 or older (16% of Hays)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Hays Medical Center in Hays, about 0.7 mi away in a straight line, followed by Rooks County Health Center (24 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 4 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Hays. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Hays compared with Ellis County and Kansas

Census figure	Hays	Ellis County	Kansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	31%	33%
Residents 65 or older	16%	16%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	33%	30%
Households with no vehicle	4.2%	3.8%	5.1%
Residents 85 or older	2.8%	2.8%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	12%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,827	$46,379	—

Older residents in towns around Hays

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Russell, KS	25 mi	1,030	37%
Hoisington, KS	39 mi	503	37%
Great Bend, KS	46 mi	2,705	38%
Larned, KS	50 mi	899	45%
Ellsworth, KS	60 mi	537	34%

Hospitals near Hays

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Hays Medical Center	Hays, KS	0.7 mi	3 of 5	(785) 623-5000
Rooks County Health Center	Plainville, KS	24 mi	not rated	(785) 688-4401
Rush County Memorial Hospital	La Crosse, KS	24 mi	not rated	(785) 222-2545
Russell Regional Hospital	Russell, KS	25 mi	3 of 5	(785) 483-3131

Home health agencies serving Hays

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Good Samaritan Home Health Of Central Kansas	Hays, KS	0.7 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(785) 621-2499
Guardian Home Care, LLC	Norton, KS	73 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(785) 622-4254
Angels Care Home Health Of Dodge City	Wa Keeney, KS	32 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy	(620) 225-5400
Lincoln Park Home Health	Salina, KS	91 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(785) 420-0095

Straight-line miles from the center of Hays. 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 Hays

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,736 monthly median income of Hays households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 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 Hays: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Hays?

Hays Medical Center in Hays, about 0.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Hays (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (785) 623-5000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Hays?

Medicare lists 4 certified agencies whose service area includes Hays ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Good Samaritan Home Health Of Central Kansas (5 of 5), Guardian Home Care, LLC (3.5 of 5), Angels Care Home Health Of Dodge City (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Hays?

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,736 monthly median income of Hays households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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.

More near Hays

More senior care near Hays

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Hays

More for Hays 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 Hays, KS