Post-Surgery Home Care in Houghton, MI

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Houghton, MI: the local picture

1.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Hancock)

3

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Houghton County)

617

residents 65 or older (7.3% of Houghton)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Up Health System Portage in Hancock, about 1.7 mi away in a straight line, followed by Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital And Clinics (11 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 3 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Houghton. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Houghton compared with Houghton County and Michigan

Census figure	Houghton	Houghton County	Michigan
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	26%	32%
Residents 65 or older	7.3%	18%	19%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	46%	33%	29%
Households with no vehicle	11%	6.5%	7.0%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	2.0%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.6%	11%	9.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$56,985	$48,668	—

Older residents in towns around Houghton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hancock, MI	2.2 mi	900	24%
West Ishpeming, MI	59 mi	624	32%
Ishpeming, MI	61 mi	1,062	45%
Negaunee, MI	63 mi	888	37%
Marquette, MI	68 mi	3,578	23%

Hospitals near Houghton

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Up Health System Portage	Hancock, MI	1.7 mi	5 of 5	(906) 483-1000
Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital And Clinics	Laurium, MI	11 mi	not rated	(906) 337-6500
Baraga County Memorial Hospital	L' Anse, MI	25 mi	not rated	(906) 524-3300

Home health agencies serving Houghton

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Aspirus At Home	Hancock, MI	1.7 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(906) 337-5700
Up Health System Home Care And Hospice Portage	Houghton, MI	0.5 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy	(906) 483-1160
Baraga County Home Care And Hospice	L'anse, MI	25 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(906) 524-3320

Straight-line miles from the center of Houghton. 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 Houghton

At the Michigan median aide wage of $16.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,459 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,749 monthly median income of Houghton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Michigan's minimum wage is $13.73 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026), rising to $15.00 on January 1, 2027.

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 Houghton: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Houghton?

Up Health System Portage in Hancock, about 1.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Houghton (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (906) 483-1000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Houghton?

Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Houghton ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Aspirus At Home (4.5 of 5), Up Health System Home Care And Hospice Portage (3.5 of 5), Baraga County Home Care And Hospice (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Houghton?

At the Michigan median aide wage of $16.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,459 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,749 monthly median income of Houghton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Michigan's minimum wage is $13.73 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026), rising to $15.00 on January 1, 2027.

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 Houghton

More senior care near Houghton

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Houghton

More for Houghton 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 Houghton, MI