Post-Surgery Care in Lincoln, ME: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Lincoln, ME: the local picture

0.9 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Lincoln)

2

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

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Penobscot County)

1,033

residents 65 or older (35% of Lincoln)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln, about 0.9 mi away in a straight line, followed by Millinocket Regional Hospital (23 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 2 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Lincoln. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Lincoln compared with Penobscot County and Maine

Census figure	Lincoln	Penobscot County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	37%	31%
Residents 65 or older	35%	20%	22%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	29%	29%
Households with no vehicle	14%	8.1%	6.8%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	2.3%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	27%	12%	9.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$27,292	$50,478	—

Older residents in towns around Lincoln

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Millinocket, ME	23 mi	1,488	32%
Old Town, ME	31 mi	1,259	36%
Orono, ME	35 mi	1,227	25%
Dover-Foxcroft, ME	37 mi	584	24%
Bangor, ME	39 mi	6,353	41%
Brewer, ME	42 mi	2,163	36%

Hospitals near Lincoln

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Penobscot Valley Hospital	Lincoln, ME	0.9 mi	not rated	(207) 794-3321
Millinocket Regional Hospital	Millinocket, ME	23 mi	not rated	(207) 723-5161
Northern Light Mayo Hospital	Dover Foxcroft, ME	36 mi	2 of 5	(207) 564-4251
St Joseph Hospital	Bangor, ME	40 mi	3 of 5	(207) 262-1000

Home health agencies serving Lincoln

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Amedisys Home Health	Bangor, ME	40 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy	(207) 990-0029
Community Health & Counseling Services	Bangor, ME	41 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(207) 947-0366

Straight-line miles from the center of Lincoln. 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 Lincoln

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 71% of the $2,274 monthly median income of Lincoln households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Lincoln: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Lincoln?

Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln, about 0.9 mi in a straight line from the center of Lincoln (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (207) 794-3321. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Lincoln?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Lincoln ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Amedisys Home Health (4 of 5), Community Health & Counseling Services (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Lincoln?

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 71% of the $2,274 monthly median income of Lincoln households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Lincoln

More senior care near Lincoln

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lincoln

More for Lincoln 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 Lincoln, ME