Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Hershey, PA
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 Hershey for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Hershey, PA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Milton S Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, about 1.2 mi away in a straight line, followed by Upmc Pinnacle Hospitals (11 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 19 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Hershey. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Hershey compared with Dauphin County and Pennsylvania
| Census figure | Hershey | Dauphin County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 32% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 18% | 19% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 34% | 29% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.4% | 9.4% | 10% |
| Residents 85 or older | 4.7% | 2.1% | 2.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 16% | 12% | 9.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $61,174 | $59,435 | — |
Older residents in towns around Hershey
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbelltown, PA | 3.2 mi | 861 | 32% |
| Palmyra, PA | 3.3 mi | 1,333 | 31% |
| Hummelstown, PA | 3.8 mi | 692 | 43% |
| Skyline View, PA | 5.8 mi | 1,854 | 13% |
| Rutherford, PA | 6.5 mi | 799 | 42% |
| Middletown, PA | 7.1 mi | 1,494 | 42% |
Hospitals near Hershey
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milton S Hershey Medical Center | Hershey, PA | 1.2 mi | 4 of 5 | (717) 531-8521 |
| Upmc Pinnacle Hospitals | Harrisburg, PA | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | (717) 782-3131 |
| Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute | Harrisburg, PA | 13 mi | not rated | (717) 782-4742 |
| Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital | Lebanon, PA | 14 mi | 5 of 5 | (717) 270-7500 |
Home health agencies serving Hershey
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellspan Vna Home Care | York, PA | 22 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 812-4433 |
| Centerwell Home Health | Lancaster, PA | 23 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 291-5943 |
| Homeland Homehealth | Harrisburg, PA | 13 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 412-0166 |
| Amedisys Home Health | Lancaster, PA | 26 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 291-8396 |
| Geisinger Home Health | Danville, PA | 48 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (570) 284-3390 |
| Accentcare Home Health Of Central Pennsylvania | Elizabethtown, PA | 8.9 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 367-2571 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Hershey. 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 Hershey
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 24% of the $5,098 monthly median income of Hershey households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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.
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 Hershey: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Hershey?
Milton S Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, about 1.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Hershey (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (717) 531-8521. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Hershey?
Medicare lists 19 certified agencies whose service area includes Hershey ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Wellspan Vna Home Care (5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Homeland Homehealth (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Hershey?
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 24% of the $5,098 monthly median income of Hershey households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 senior care near Hershey
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Campbelltown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Palmyra, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Hummelstown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Skyline View, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Rutherford, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Middletown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Paxtonia, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Annville, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lawnton, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Colonial Park, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Highspire, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Elizabethtown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Linglestown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Steelton, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Progress, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Penbrook, PA
Other care in Hershey
- Companion Care in Hershey
- Dementia Care in Hershey
- Respite Care in Hershey
- Live-In Caregivers in Hershey
- Senior Transportation in Hershey
- Home Health Aides in Hershey
- Nursing Assistants in Hershey
- Personal Care in Hershey
- Overnight Caregivers in Hershey
- 24-Hour Home Care in Hershey
- Mobility Assistance in Hershey
- Parkinson’s Care in Hershey
- Stroke Recovery Support in Hershey
- Disability Care for Adults in Hershey
- Hospice Support in Hershey
- Senior Meal Preparation in Hershey
- Senior Housekeeping in Hershey
- Medication Reminders in Hershey
- Veterans’ Home Care in Hershey
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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