Post-Surgery Home Care in Las Animas, CO

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Las Animas, CO: the local picture

25 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Lajuna)

4

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Bent County)

553

residents 65 or older (22% of Las Animas)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in Lajuna, about 25 mi away in a straight line, followed by Prowers Medical Center (33 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 4 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Las Animas. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Las Animas compared with Bent County and Colorado

Census figure	Las Animas	Bent County	Colorado
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	36%	30%
Residents 65 or older	22%	19%	16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	30%	28%
Households with no vehicle	4.3%	3.1%	5.2%
Residents 85 or older	3.9%	2.5%	1.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	21%	16%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$56,382	$49,083	—

Older residents in towns around Las Animas

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
La Junta, CO	19 mi	1,536	47%
Rocky Ford, CO	27 mi	647	34%
Lamar, CO	33 mi	1,126	46%

Hospitals near Las Animas

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center	Lajuna, CO	25 mi	not rated	(719) 363-1428
Prowers Medical Center	Lamar, CO	33 mi	not rated	(719) 336-4343

Home health agencies serving Las Animas

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Bent County Public Health	Las Animas, CO	13 mi	2 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(719) 456-0517
Sangre De Cristo Community Care LLC	La Junta, CO	25 mi	2 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(719) 542-0032
Maxim Healthcare Services Inc	La Junta, CO	25 mi	not rated	nursing, home health aides	(719) 383-0990
Nursing And Therapy Services Of Colorado Inc	Colorado Springs, CO	106 mi	not rated	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(719) 574-5562

Straight-line miles from the center of Las Animas. 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 Las Animas

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,699 monthly median income of Las Animas households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Las Animas: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Las Animas?

Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in Lajuna, about 25 mi in a straight line from the center of Las Animas (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (719) 363-1428. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Las Animas?

Medicare lists 4 certified agencies whose service area includes Las Animas ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Bent County Public Health (2 of 5), Sangre De Cristo Community Care LLC (2 of 5), Maxim Healthcare Services Inc (not rated). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Las Animas?

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,699 monthly median income of Las Animas households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Las Animas

More senior care near Las Animas

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Las Animas

More for Las Animas 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 Las Animas, CO