Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Kearney, NE
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 Kearney for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Kearney, NE: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Chi Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, about 1.3 mi away in a straight line, followed by Kearney Regional Medical Center (4.2 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 6 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Kearney. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Kearney compared with Buffalo County and Nebraska
| Census figure | Kearney | Buffalo County | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 29% | 30% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 16% | 17% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 39% | 34% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.0% | 4.5% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.2% | 2.1% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 9.5% | 9.2% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $50,813 | $54,043 | — |
Older residents in towns around Kearney
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minden, NE | 15 mi | 681 | 37% |
| Holdrege, NE | 24 mi | 1,208 | 38% |
| Lexington, NE | 35 mi | 1,013 | 49% |
| Hastings, NE | 37 mi | 4,646 | 36% |
| Grand Island, NE | 41 mi | 7,806 | 35% |
| St. Paul, NE | 48 mi | 697 | 50% |
Hospitals near Kearney
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chi Health Good Samaritan | Kearney, NE | 1.3 mi | 4 of 5 | (308) 865-7900 |
| Kearney Regional Medical Center | Kearney, NE | 4.2 mi | 4 of 5 | (308) 455-3600 |
| Kearney County Health Services Hospital | Minden, NE | 15 mi | not rated | (308) 832-3400 |
| Phelps Memorial Health Center | Holdrege, NE | 23 mi | 4 of 5 | (308) 995-2211 |
Home health agencies serving Kearney
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chi Health At Home - Grand Island | Grand Island, NE | 40 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (308) 398-2600 |
| Eventide Home Health Care | Lincoln, NE | 127 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (402) 420-2273 |
| Angels Care Progressive Home Health | Grand Island, NE | 42 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (308) 589-0170 |
| Evangelical Lutheran Gss Home Care Of Central Nebraska | Kearney, NE | 0.9 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (308) 698-5080 |
| Brookestone Home Health & Hospice | Kearney, NE | 4.2 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (308) 995-4375 |
| Home Health Of Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, NE | 103 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (402) 562-3300 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Kearney. 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 Kearney
At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,234 monthly median income of Kearney households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska'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 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 Kearney: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Kearney?
Chi Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, about 1.3 mi in a straight line from the center of Kearney (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (308) 865-7900. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Kearney?
Medicare lists 6 certified agencies whose service area includes Kearney ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Chi Health At Home - Grand Island (4.5 of 5), Eventide Home Health Care (4.5 of 5), Angels Care Progressive Home Health (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Kearney?
At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,234 monthly median income of Kearney households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska'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 senior care near Kearney
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Minden, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Holdrege, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Lexington, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Hastings, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Grand Island, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in St. Paul, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Cozad, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Broken Bow, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Aurora, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Gothenburg, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Central City, NE
Other care in Kearney
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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