Post-Surgery Care in Maine, WI: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Maine, WI: the local picture

6.5 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Wausau)

2

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

17%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Marathon County)

519

residents 65 or older (20% of Maine)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, about 6.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Aspirus Merrill Hospital (8.5 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 Maine. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Maine compared with Marathon County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Maine	Marathon County	Wisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability	17%	30%	28%
Residents 65 or older	20%	19%	19%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	29%	30%
Households with no vehicle	0.5%	4.8%	6.4%
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	2.4%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.8%	9.2%	9.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$64,500	$53,258	—

Older residents in towns around Maine

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Wausau, WI	6.9 mi	7,741	34%
Merrill, WI	8.5 mi	2,041	35%
Rib Mountain, WI	11 mi	1,821	25%
Rothschild, WI	13 mi	999	30%
Weston, WI	13 mi	3,060	30%
Kronenwetter, WI	17 mi	1,040	28%

Hospitals near Maine

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Aspirus Wausau Hospital	Wausau, WI	6.5 mi	4 of 5	(715) 847-2000
Aspirus Merrill Hospital	Merrill, WI	8.5 mi	not rated	(715) 536-5511
Marshfield Medical Center - Weston	Weston, WI	12 mi	3 of 5	(715) 393-3000
Langlade Hospital	Antigo, WI	27 mi	not rated	(715) 623-2331

Home health agencies serving Maine

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Compassus Home Health	Marshfield, WI	37 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(715) 301-7260
Aspirus At Home	Wausau, WI	6.5 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(715) 847-2600

Straight-line miles from the center of Maine. 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 Maine

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,375 monthly median income of Maine households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

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 Maine: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Maine?

Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, about 6.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Maine (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (715) 847-2000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Maine?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Maine ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Compassus Home Health (4.5 of 5), Aspirus At Home (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Maine?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,375 monthly median income of Maine households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 near Maine

More senior care near Maine

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Maine

More for Maine 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 Maine, WI