Post-Surgery Care in Lead, SD: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Lead, SD: the local picture

2.5 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Deadwood)

3

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

46%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Lawrence County)

818

residents 65 or older (27% of Lead)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Monument Health Lead-Deadwood Hospital in Deadwood, about 2.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Monument Health Spearfish Hospital (11 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 3 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Lead. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Lead compared with Lawrence County and South Dakota

Census figure	Lead	Lawrence County	South Dakota
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	33%	31%
Residents 65 or older	27%	25%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	28%	30%
Households with no vehicle	4.2%	4.8%	5.2%
Residents 85 or older	3.4%	2.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	21%	12%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$55,577	$58,472	—

Older residents in towns around Lead

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Spearfish, SD	9.9 mi	2,676	30%
Sturgis, SD	14 mi	1,375	42%
Belle Fourche, SD	22 mi	1,117	44%
Summerset, SD	24 mi	248	29%
Blackhawk, SD	26 mi	550	41%
Colonial Pine Hills, SD	32 mi	793	42%

Hospitals near Lead

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Monument Health Lead-Deadwood Hospital	Deadwood, SD	2.5 mi	not rated	(605) 717-6000
Monument Health Spearfish Hospital	Spearfish, SD	11 mi	4 of 5	(605) 644-4000
Va Black Hills Healthcare System	Fort Meade, SD	16 mi	5 of 5	(605) 347-2511
Monument Health Sturgis Hospital	Sturgis, SD	20 mi	not rated	(605) 720-2400

Home health agencies serving Lead

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Monument Health Home Plus Home Health	Spearfish, SD	11 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(605) 644-4444
Heartland Home Health LLC	Belle Fourche, SD	22 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(605) 723-4663
State Home Care Services, Inc	Rapid City, SD	31 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(605) 718-5004

Straight-line miles from the center of Lead. 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 Lead

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,631 monthly median income of Lead households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Lead: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Lead?

Monument Health Lead-Deadwood Hospital in Deadwood, about 2.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Lead (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (605) 717-6000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Lead?

Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Lead ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Monument Health Home Plus Home Health (5 of 5), Heartland Home Health LLC (4.5 of 5), State Home Care Services, Inc (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Lead?

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,631 monthly median income of Lead households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Lead

More senior care near Lead

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 Lead, SD