Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Lakeland, FL
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 Lakeland for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Lakeland, FL: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, about 1.2 mi away in a straight line, followed by South Florida Baptist Hospital (11 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 70 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Lakeland. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Lakeland compared with Polk County and Florida
| Census figure | Lakeland | Polk County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 22% | 20% | 21% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 33% | 24% | 25% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.4% | 5.4% | 6.0% |
| Residents 85 or older | 3.5% | 2.1% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 13% | 12% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $48,328 | $50,939 | — |
Older residents in towns around Lakeland
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combee Settlement, FL | 3.1 mi | 679 | 40% |
| Crystal Lake, FL | 3.6 mi | 630 | 29% |
| Fussels Corner, FL | 5.7 mi | 1,904 | 26% |
| Lakeland Highlands, FL | 6.8 mi | 2,431 | 28% |
| Kathleen, FL | 6.8 mi | 992 | 41% |
| Medulla, FL | 6.9 mi | 1,674 | 28% |
Hospitals near Lakeland
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland Regional Medical Center | Lakeland, FL | 1.2 mi | 1 of 5 | (863) 687-1100 |
| South Florida Baptist Hospital | Plant City, FL | 11 mi | 3 of 5 | (813) 757-1200 |
| Winter Haven Hospital | Winter Haven, FL | 14 mi | 3 of 5 | (863) 293-1121 |
| Bartow Regional Medical Center | Bartow, FL | 14 mi | 3 of 5 | (863) 533-8111 |
Home health agencies serving Lakeland
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Lakeland, FL | 6.8 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (863) 648-9118 |
| Southeast Homecare | Tampa, FL | 27 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (813) 452-6155 |
| Bon Secours Home Care By Compassus | Sun City Center, FL | 34 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (813) 443-5566 |
| Medical Services Of America Home Health | Tampa, FL | 27 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (813) 626-9888 |
| Trilogy Home Healthcare | Tampa, FL | 28 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (813) 963-1200 |
| Making Memories Home Health Inc | Tampa, FL | 34 mi | 4.5 of 5 | — | (813) 931-0015 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Lakeland. 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 Lakeland
At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,027 monthly median income of Lakeland households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.
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 take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO.
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 Lakeland: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Lakeland?
Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, about 1.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Lakeland (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (863) 687-1100. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Lakeland?
Medicare lists 70 certified agencies whose service area includes Lakeland ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Southeast Homecare (5 of 5), Bon Secours Home Care By Compassus (5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Lakeland?
At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,027 monthly median income of Lakeland households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.
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 Lakeland
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Combee Settlement, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Crystal Lake, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Fussels Corner, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Lakeland Highlands, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Kathleen, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Medulla, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Highland City, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Fuller Heights, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Willow Oak, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Jan Phyl Village, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Auburndale, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Plant City, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Mulberry, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Inwood, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Polk City, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Eagle Lake, FL
Other care in Lakeland
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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