Post-Surgery Home Care in Oak Harbor, WA

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Oak Harbor, WA: the local picture

5.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Coupeville)

2

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

39%

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

3,118

residents 65 or older (13% of Oak Harbor)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Whidbeyhealth Medical Center in Coupeville, about 5.7 mi away in a straight line, followed by Island Hospital (14 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 Oak Harbor. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Oak Harbor compared with Island County and Washington

Census figure	Oak Harbor	Island County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	39%	30%	33%
Residents 65 or older	13%	27%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	23%	26%
Households with no vehicle	5.4%	3.8%	7.1%
Residents 85 or older	2.4%	2.2%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.6%	6.4%	8.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$64,057	$76,740	—

Older residents in towns around Oak Harbor

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Camano, WA	12 mi	5,906	24%
Anacortes, WA	13 mi	5,751	27%
Stanwood, WA	14 mi	1,360	49%
Port Townsend, WA	14 mi	4,551	30%
Warm Beach, WA	16 mi	958	38%
Mount Vernon, WA	17 mi	6,520	37%

Hospitals near Oak Harbor

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Whidbeyhealth Medical Center	Coupeville, WA	5.7 mi	2 of 5	(360) 678-5151
Island Hospital	Anacortes, WA	14 mi	4 of 5	(360) 299-1300
Jefferson Healthcare	Port Townsend, WA	15 mi	3 of 5	(360) 385-2200
Skagit Valley Hospital	Mount Vernon, WA	23 mi	3 of 5	(360) 424-4111

Home health agencies serving Oak Harbor

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Eden Home Health	Bellingham, WA	36 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 734-5410
Signature Healthcare At Home	Burlington, WA	19 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(425) 861-3850

Straight-line miles from the center of Oak Harbor. 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 Oak Harbor

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $5,338 monthly median income of Oak Harbor households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Oak Harbor: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Oak Harbor?

Whidbeyhealth Medical Center in Coupeville, about 5.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Oak Harbor (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (360) 678-5151. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Oak Harbor?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Oak Harbor ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Eden Home Health (4 of 5), Signature Healthcare At Home (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Oak Harbor?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $5,338 monthly median income of Oak Harbor households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Oak Harbor

More senior care near Oak Harbor

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Oak Harbor

More for Oak Harbor 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 Oak Harbor, WA