Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Knoxville, TN: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, about 1.4 mi away in a straight line, followed by East Tennessee Childrens Hospital (1.4 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 16 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Knoxville. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Knoxville compared with Knox County and Tennessee
| Census figure | Knoxville | Knox County | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 32% | 36% |
| Residents 65 or older | 14% | 16% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 42% | 30% | 29% |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.1% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 14% | 9.5% | 11% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $40,720 | $56,033 | — |
Older residents in towns around Knoxville
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powell, TN | 6.4 mi | 2,329 | 34% |
| Halls, TN | 7.7 mi | 2,785 | 28% |
| Karns, TN | 9.0 mi | 798 | 35% |
| Alcoa, TN | 11 mi | 2,276 | 25% |
| Louisville, TN | 12 mi | 1,059 | 32% |
| Seymour, TN | 12 mi | 2,935 | 47% |
Hospitals near Knoxville
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center | Knoxville, TN | 1.4 mi | 3 of 5 | (865) 541-1101 |
| East Tennessee Childrens Hospital | Knoxville, TN | 1.4 mi | not rated | (865) 541-8000 |
| University Health System, Inc | Knoxville, TN | 5.4 mi | 4 of 5 | (865) 305-9000 |
| Physicians Regional Medical Center | Powell, TN | 7.1 mi | 3 of 5 | (865) 545-8000 |
Home health agencies serving Knoxville
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Knoxville, TN | 5.7 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (865) 450-1160 |
| Centerwell Home Health | Knoxville, TN | 12 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (865) 584-3133 |
| Nhc Homecare Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | 7.6 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work | (865) 539-0242 |
| Covenant Homecare | Knoxville, TN | 4.5 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (865) 374-0600 |
| Amedisys Home Health Care | Knoxville, TN | 4.5 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (865) 584-2510 |
| Adoration Home Health | Knoxville, TN | 12 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (865) 531-9713 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Knoxville. 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 Knoxville
At the Tennessee median aide wage of $15.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,339 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,393 monthly median income of Knoxville households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Tennessee has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).
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 TennCare CHOICES: how to get paid to care for a family member in Tennessee.
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 Knoxville: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Knoxville?
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, about 1.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Knoxville (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (865) 541-1101. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Knoxville?
Medicare lists 16 certified agencies whose service area includes Knoxville ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Nhc Homecare Knoxville (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Knoxville?
At the Tennessee median aide wage of $15.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,339 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,393 monthly median income of Knoxville households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Tennessee has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).
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 Knoxville
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Powell, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Halls, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Karns, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Alcoa, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Louisville, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Seymour, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Mascot, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Eagleton Village, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Clinton, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Farragut, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Maryville, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Strawberry Plains, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Blaine, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Oak Ridge, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Maynardville, TN
- Post-Surgery Care in Sevierville, TN
Other care in Knoxville
- Companion Care in Knoxville
- Dementia Care in Knoxville
- Respite Care in Knoxville
- Live-In Caregivers in Knoxville
- Senior Transportation in Knoxville
- Home Health Aides in Knoxville
- Nursing Assistants in Knoxville
- Personal Care in Knoxville
- Overnight Caregivers in Knoxville
- 24-Hour Home Care in Knoxville
- Mobility Assistance in Knoxville
- Parkinson’s Care in Knoxville
- Stroke Recovery Support in Knoxville
- Disability Care for Adults in Knoxville
- Hospice Support in Knoxville
- Senior Meal Preparation in Knoxville
- Senior Housekeeping in Knoxville
- Medication Reminders in Knoxville
- Veterans’ Home Care in Knoxville
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.
Find post-surgery care in Knoxville
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Knoxville can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
