Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Old Town, ME
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 Old Town for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Old Town, ME: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is St Joseph Hospital in Bangor, about 9.3 mi away in a straight line, followed by Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (9.3 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 5 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Old Town. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Old Town compared with Penobscot County and Maine
| Census figure | Old Town | Penobscot County | Maine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 37% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 20% | 22% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 44% | 29% | 29% |
| Households with no vehicle | 10% | 8.1% | 6.8% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.8% | 2.3% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 12% | 12% | 9.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $47,986 | $50,478 | — |
Older residents in towns around Old Town
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orono, ME | 5.8 mi | 1,227 | 25% |
| Bangor, ME | 8.9 mi | 6,353 | 41% |
| Brewer, ME | 12 mi | 2,163 | 36% |
| Hampden, ME | 15 mi | 962 | 43% |
| Bucksport, ME | 25 mi | 1,040 | 34% |
| Ellsworth, ME | 29 mi | 1,913 | 29% |
Hospitals near Old Town
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph Hospital | Bangor, ME | 9.3 mi | 3 of 5 | (207) 262-1000 |
| Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center | Bangor, ME | 9.3 mi | 5 of 5 | (207) 973-7000 |
| Northern Light Mayo Hospital | Dover Foxcroft, ME | 28 mi | 2 of 5 | (207) 564-4251 |
| Penobscot Valley Hospital | Lincoln, ME | 30 mi | not rated | (207) 794-3321 |
Home health agencies serving Old Town
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Bangor, ME | 9.3 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy | (207) 990-9000 |
| Amedisys Home Health | Bangor, ME | 9.3 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy | (207) 990-0029 |
| Community Health & Counseling Services | Bangor, ME | 11 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (207) 947-0366 |
| Northern Light Home Care & Hospice | So Portland, ME | 119 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (800) 757-3326 |
| St Joseph Homecare | Bangor, ME | 9.3 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (207) 907-1810 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Old Town. 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 Old Town
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 40% of the $3,999 monthly median income of Old Town 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.
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 Old Town: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Old Town?
St Joseph Hospital in Bangor, about 9.3 mi in a straight line from the center of Old Town (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (207) 262-1000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Old Town?
Medicare lists 5 certified agencies whose service area includes Old Town ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), 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 Old Town?
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 40% of the $3,999 monthly median income of Old Town 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 senior care near Old Town
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Orono, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Bangor, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Brewer, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Hampden, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Bucksport, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Ellsworth, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Dover-Foxcroft, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Lincoln, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Pittsfield, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Belfast, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Millinocket, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Skowhegan, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Winslow, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Waterville, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Camden, ME
- Post-Surgery Care in Oakland, ME
Other care in Old Town
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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