Post-Surgery Home Care in Ketchikan, AK

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Ketchikan, AK: the local picture

1.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Ketchikan)

1

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Ketchikan Gateway Borough)

1,226

residents 65 or older (15% of Ketchikan)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Peacehealth Ketchikan Medical Center in Ketchikan, about 1.1 mi away in a straight line. Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 1 certified home health agency whose service area includes Ketchikan. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Ketchikan compared with Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Alaska

Census figure	Ketchikan	Ketchikan Gateway Borough	Alaska
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	36%	35%
Residents 65 or older	15%	18%	14%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	43%	28%	27%
Households with no vehicle	15%	11%	9.0%
Residents 85 or older	0.8%	0.8%	0.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.7%	5.6%	8.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,813	$76,563	—

Hospitals near Ketchikan

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Peacehealth Ketchikan Medical Center	Ketchikan, AK	1.1 mi	4 of 5	(907) 225-5171

Home health agencies serving Ketchikan

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Peacehealth Ketchikan Medical Center Home Health	Ketchikan, AK	1.1 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(907) 228-7600

Straight-line miles from the center of Ketchikan. 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 Ketchikan

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,984 monthly median income of Ketchikan households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in Alaska: consumer-directed personal care.

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 Ketchikan: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Ketchikan?

Peacehealth Ketchikan Medical Center in Ketchikan, about 1.1 mi in a straight line from the center of Ketchikan (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (907) 225-5171. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Ketchikan?

Medicare lists 1 certified agencies whose service area includes Ketchikan ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Peacehealth Ketchikan Medical Center Home Health (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Ketchikan?

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,984 monthly median income of Ketchikan households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 Ketchikan

More senior care near Ketchikan

Other care in Ketchikan

More for Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan, AK