Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Lancaster, PA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, about 1.1 mi away in a straight line, followed by Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center (2.4 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 29 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Lancaster. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Lancaster compared with Lancaster County and Pennsylvania
| Census figure | Lancaster | Lancaster County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 27% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 10% | 20% | 19% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 29% | 25% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 15% | 8.6% | 10% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.7% | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 20% | 8.3% | 9.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $39,946 | $62,531 | — |
Older residents in towns around Lancaster
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millersville, PA | 3.7 mi | 1,057 | 34% |
| Willow Street, PA | 4.5 mi | 3,966 | 24% |
| East Petersburg, PA | 5.0 mi | 1,129 | 24% |
| Leola, PA | 6.9 mi | 1,223 | 31% |
| Mountville, PA | 7.1 mi | 706 | 21% |
| Strasburg, PA | 7.3 mi | 975 | 18% |
Hospitals near Lancaster
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster General Hospital | Lancaster, PA | 1.1 mi | 5 of 5 | (717) 544-5511 |
| Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center | Lancaster, PA | 2.4 mi | 3 of 5 | (223) 287-9000 |
| Upmc Lititz | Lititz, PA | 9.8 mi | 4 of 5 | (717) 625-2000 |
| Wellspan Ephrata Community Hospital | Ephrata, PA | 11 mi | 5 of 5 | (717) 733-0311 |
Home health agencies serving Lancaster
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Lancaster, PA | 2.4 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 291-5943 |
| Wellspan Vna Home Care | York, PA | 23 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 812-4433 |
| Amedisys Home Health | Lancaster, PA | 1.1 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 291-8396 |
| Penn Medicine Home Health Lancaster General Health | Lancaster, PA | 1.6 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 397-8251 |
| Accentcare Home Health Of Central Pennsylvania | Elizabethtown, PA | 18 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 367-2571 |
| Masonic Village Home Health | Elizabethtown, PA | 18 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 361-4050 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Lancaster. 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 Lancaster
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,329 monthly median income of Lancaster households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Lancaster: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Lancaster?
Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, about 1.1 mi in a straight line from the center of Lancaster (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (717) 544-5511. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Lancaster?
Medicare lists 29 certified agencies whose service area includes Lancaster ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Wellspan Vna Home Care (5 of 5), Amedisys Home Health (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Lancaster?
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,329 monthly median income of Lancaster households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Lancaster
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Millersville, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Willow Street, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in East Petersburg, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Leola, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Mountville, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Strasburg, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Brownstown, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Salunga, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lititz, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Rothsville, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Akron, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Manheim, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Columbia, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Ephrata, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Mount Joy, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in New Holland, PA
Other care in Lancaster
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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