Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Lake Elmo, MN

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

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Lake Elmo, MN: the local picture

5.0 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Woodbury)
25
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Lake Elmo ZIP codes in their service area
31%
of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Washington County)
2,217
residents 65 or older (17% of Lake Elmo)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, about 5.0 mi away in a straight line, followed by Lakeview Memorial Hospital (5.9 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 25 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Lake Elmo. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Lake Elmo compared with Washington County and Minnesota

Census figureLake ElmoWashington CountyMinnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability31%27%28%
Residents 65 or older17%17%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone22%26%30%
Households with no vehicle3.9%3.8%6.7%
Residents 85 or older1.7%1.8%2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)10.0%6.7%8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$73,858$75,658—

Older residents in towns around Lake Elmo

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Oakdale, MN2.6 mi4,90131%
North St. Paul, MN4.8 mi1,78937%
Woodbury, MN5.7 mi10,73826%
Mahtomedi, MN5.7 mi1,77627%
Oak Park Heights, MN5.8 mi1,48954%
Stillwater, MN6.2 mi3,84025%

Hospitals near Lake Elmo

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
M Health Fairview Woodwinds HospitalWoodbury, MN5.0 mi4 of 5(651) 232-2185
Lakeview Memorial HospitalStillwater, MN5.9 mi4 of 5(651) 430-4509
M Health Fairview St John's HospitalMaplewood, MN6.1 mi5 of 5(651) 232-7000
Hudson HospitalHudson, WI8.9 mi5 of 5(715) 531-6000

Home health agencies serving Lake Elmo

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Centerwell Home HealthBrooklyn Park, MN24 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides(763) 416-0289
Lakeview HomecareOak Park Heights, MN5.9 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(651) 430-3320
Good Samaritan Society - Home CareRobbinsdale, MN21 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(763) 546-9020
Home Health Care IncGolden Valley, MN24 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(763) 417-8888
Aveanna Home HealthEdina, MN24 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(952) 926-9808
Triniti Home Health And HospiceElk River, MN40 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(763) 241-0654

Straight-line miles from the center of Lake Elmo. 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 Lake Elmo

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $6,155 monthly median income of Lake Elmo households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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.

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 Lake Elmo: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Lake Elmo?

M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, about 5.0 mi in a straight line from the center of Lake Elmo (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (651) 232-2185. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Lake Elmo?

Medicare lists 25 certified agencies whose service area includes Lake Elmo ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Lakeview Homecare (4.5 of 5), Good Samaritan Society - Home Care (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Lake Elmo?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $6,155 monthly median income of Lake Elmo households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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.

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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