Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Kalama, WA
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 Kalama for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Kalama, WA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Peacehealth St John Medical Center in Longview, about 11 mi away in a straight line, followed by Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center (23 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 Kalama. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Kalama compared with Cowlitz County and Washington
| Census figure | Kalama | Cowlitz County | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 46% | 39% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 19% | 20% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 25% | 29% | 26% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.0% | 6.2% | 7.1% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.2% | 2.0% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 0.8% | 7.6% | 8.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $55,250 | $54,222 | — |
Older residents in towns around Kalama
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelso, WA | 7.2 mi | 2,194 | 45% |
| Woodland, WA | 8.0 mi | 1,246 | 37% |
| Longview, WA | 11 mi | 7,663 | 41% |
| St. Helens, OR | 11 mi | 2,253 | 38% |
| Lexington, WA | 12 mi | 765 | 39% |
| Longview Heights, WA | 12 mi | 634 | 18% |
Hospitals near Kalama
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peacehealth St John Medical Center | Longview, WA | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | (360) 414-2000 |
| Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center | Vancouver, WA | 23 mi | 4 of 5 | (360) 487-1000 |
| Legacy Emanuel Medical Center | Portland, OR | 33 mi | 3 of 5 | (503) 413-2200 |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital Westside | Hillsboro, OR | 34 mi | 4 of 5 | (971) 310-0100 |
Home health agencies serving Kalama
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peacehealth Southwest Home Health | Vancouver, WA | 28 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (360) 759-1500 |
| Assured Home Health And Hospice | Centralia, WA | 49 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (360) 330-2640 |
| Eden Home Health | Vancouver, WA | 23 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (360) 504-0122 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Kalama. 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 Kalama
At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $4,604 monthly median income of Kalama households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Kalama: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Kalama?
Peacehealth St John Medical Center in Longview, about 11 mi in a straight line from the center of Kalama (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (360) 414-2000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Kalama?
Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Kalama ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Peacehealth Southwest Home Health (4.5 of 5), Assured Home Health And Hospice (3.5 of 5), Eden Home Health (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Kalama?
At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $4,604 monthly median income of Kalama households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Kalama
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Kelso, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Woodland, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Longview, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in St. Helens, OR
- Post-Surgery Care in Lexington, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Longview Heights, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in La Center, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Ridgefield, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Scappoose, OR
- Post-Surgery Care in Vernonia, OR
- Post-Surgery Care in Mount Vista, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Felida, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Battle Ground, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Salmon Creek, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lake Shore, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Barberton, WA
Other care in Kalama
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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