Mitchell, Indiana

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Mitchell, IN

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 Mitchell for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Mitchell, IN: the local picture

9.4 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Bedford)
11
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Mitchell ZIP codes in their service area
55%
of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Lawrence County)
554
residents 65 or older (14% of Mitchell)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Indiana University Health Bedford Hospital in Bedford, about 9.4 mi away in a straight line, followed by Indiana University Health Paoli Hospital (13 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 11 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Mitchell. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Mitchell compared with Lawrence County and Indiana

Census figureMitchellLawrence CountyIndiana
Residents 65+ with a disability55%40%33%
Residents 65 or older14%21%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone36%31%30%
Households with no vehicle4.6%4.8%6.2%
Residents 85 or older3.9%2.5%1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)16%9.2%9.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$32,143$49,516—

Older residents in towns around Mitchell

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Bedford, IN8.5 mi3,04240%
Paoli, IN12 mi97845%
Salem, IN22 mi1,38842%
Smithville-Sanders, IN22 mi56132%
Loogootee, IN24 mi60128%
Brownstown, IN25 mi87543%

Hospitals near Mitchell

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Indiana University Health Bedford HospitalBedford, IN9.4 mi3 of 5(812) 275-1200
Indiana University Health Paoli HospitalPaoli, IN13 minot rated(812) 723-2811
Ascension St Vincent SalemSalem, IN23 minot rated(812) 883-5881
Indiana University Health Bloomington HospitalBloomington, IN27 mi3 of 5(812) 353-9554

Home health agencies serving Mitchell

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Elara CaringKokomo, IN123 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(765) 452-1411
Amedisys Home HealthBloomington, IN27 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(812) 333-7018
Adoration Home HealthJeffersonville, IN50 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy(812) 284-3030
Ascension At HomeIndianapolis, IN79 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(317) 829-2124
Elite Home Rehab And Healthcare CorpCarmel, IN87 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides(317) 325-8860
Redcrest Home Health LLCIndianapolis, IN74 mi3 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(317) 962-4600

Straight-line miles from the center of Mitchell. 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 Mitchell

At the Indiana median aide wage of $16.86 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,461 a month in wages, which is 55% of the $2,679 monthly median income of Mitchell households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Indiana'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.

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 Mitchell: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Mitchell?

Indiana University Health Bedford Hospital in Bedford, about 9.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Mitchell (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (812) 275-1200. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Mitchell?

Medicare lists 11 certified agencies whose service area includes Mitchell ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Amedisys Home Health (4 of 5), Adoration Home Health (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Mitchell?

At the Indiana median aide wage of $16.86 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,461 a month in wages, which is 55% of the $2,679 monthly median income of Mitchell households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Indiana'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.

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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