Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in New Bedford, MA
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 New Bedford for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in New Bedford, MA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Southcoast Hospitals Group in Fall River, about 11 mi away in a straight line, followed by Saint Anne's Hospital (12 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 32 certified home health agencies whose service area includes New Bedford. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
New Bedford compared with Bristol County and Massachusetts
| Census figure | New Bedford | Bristol County | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 33% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 18% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 41% | 30% | 29% |
| Households with no vehicle | 17% | 9.5% | 12% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.9% | 2.1% | 2.2% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 17% | 11% | 11% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $39,345 | $54,856 | — |
Older residents in towns around New Bedford
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acushnet Center, MA | 2.3 mi | 816 | 38% |
| Smith Mills, MA | 3.3 mi | 976 | 32% |
| Bliss Corner, MA | 3.9 mi | 1,499 | 27% |
| Mattapoisett Center, MA | 7.2 mi | 719 | 44% |
| North Westport, MA | 9.0 mi | 861 | 43% |
| Fall River, MA | 9.2 mi | 15,169 | 40% |
Hospitals near New Bedford
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southcoast Hospitals Group | Fall River, MA | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | (508) 679-3131 |
| Saint Anne's Hospital | Fall River, MA | 12 mi | 3 of 5 | (508) 674-5600 |
| Falmouth Hospital | Falmouth, MA | 18 mi | 4 of 5 | (508) 548-5300 |
| Brown University Health Morton Hospital | Taunton, MA | 19 mi | 1 of 5 | (508) 828-7000 |
Home health agencies serving New Bedford
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elara Caring | Braintree, MA | 38 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (617) 969-7517 |
| Centerwell Home Health | Fall River, MA | 10 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (508) 672-0675 |
| Pivot Point Homecare Services LLC | Westborough, MA | 55 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (508) 873-1358 |
| Amedisys Home Health Care | Wakefield, MA | 58 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (978) 685-2818 |
| Community Nurse, Inc | Fairhaven, MA | 2.9 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (508) 992-6278 |
| Guardian Home Health Care, LLC | W Bridgewater, MA | 26 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, home health aides | (508) 588-5811 |
Straight-line miles from the center of New Bedford. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What post-surgery care costs in New Bedford
At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 52% of the $3,279 monthly median income of New Bedford households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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.
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.
Post-Surgery Care in New Bedford: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to New Bedford?
Southcoast Hospitals Group in Fall River, about 11 mi in a straight line from the center of New Bedford (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (508) 679-3131. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve New Bedford?
Medicare lists 32 certified agencies whose service area includes New Bedford ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Pivot Point Homecare Services LLC (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in New Bedford?
At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 52% of the $3,279 monthly median income of New Bedford households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 senior care near New Bedford
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Acushnet Center, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Smith Mills, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Bliss Corner, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Mattapoisett Center, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in North Westport, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Fall River, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Wareham Center, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Somerset, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Tiverton, RI
- Post-Surgery Care in North Lakeville, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Ocean Grove, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in North Falmouth, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Middleborough Center, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Buzzards Bay, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Monument Beach, MA
- Post-Surgery Care in Taunton, MA
Other care in New Bedford
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.
Find post-surgery care in New Bedford
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near New Bedford can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
