Independence, Missouri

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Independence, MO

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 Independence for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Independence, MO: the local picture

0.9 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Independence)
29
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Independence ZIP codes in their service area
38%
of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Jackson County)
22,794
residents 65 or older (19% of Independence)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, about 0.9 mi away in a straight line, followed by St Mary's Medical Center (6.9 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 29 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Independence. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Independence compared with Jackson County and Missouri

Census figureIndependenceJackson CountyMissouri
Residents 65+ with a disability38%34%34%
Residents 65 or older19%16%18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone35%34%30%
Households with no vehicle8.1%8.1%6.6%
Residents 85 or older2.6%1.9%2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)9.4%11%10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$46,970$51,827—

Older residents in towns around Independence

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Sugar Creek, MO4.8 mi48365%
Blue Springs, MO6.8 mi9,09330%
Raytown, MO8.6 mi5,55943%
Grain Valley, MO8.8 mi1,85050%
Buckner, MO8.9 mi45014%
Kansas City, MO11 mi73,24833%

Hospitals near Independence

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Centerpoint Medical CenterIndependence, MO0.9 mi3 of 5(816) 698-7000
St Mary's Medical CenterBlue Springs, MO6.9 mi3 of 5(816) 228-5900
University Health Lakewood Medical CenterKansas City, MO8.8 mi4 of 5(816) 404-7000
Kansas City Va Medical CenterKansas City, MO10 mi4 of 5(816) 861-4700

Home health agencies serving Independence

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Centerwell Home HealthIndependence, MO0.9 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(816) 524-5087
Saint Lukes Home CareKansas City, MO13 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(816) 756-1160
HCA Midwest Healthcare At HomeKansas City, MO14 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(816) 942-3958
Elara CaringJefferson City, MO119 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(800) 690-1753
Phoenix Home CareIndependence, MO3.5 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(816) 373-7442
Amedisys Home Health Of MissouriLees Summit, MO10 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work(816) 524-7355

Straight-line miles from the center of Independence. 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 Independence

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,914 monthly median income of Independence households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.

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 Independence: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Independence?

Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, about 0.9 mi in a straight line from the center of Independence (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (816) 698-7000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Independence?

Medicare lists 29 certified agencies whose service area includes Independence ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Saint Lukes Home Care (4.5 of 5), HCA Midwest Healthcare At Home (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Independence?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,914 monthly median income of Independence households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Independence

More senior care near Independence

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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