Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Palatka, FL
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 Palatka for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Palatka, FL: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka, about 1.4 mi away in a straight line, followed by Flagler Hospital (25 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 19 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Palatka. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Palatka compared with Putnam County and Florida
| Census figure | Palatka | Putnam County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 40% | 38% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 19% | 24% | 21% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 45% | 29% | 25% |
| Households with no vehicle | 17% | 6.8% | 6.0% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.6% | 2.2% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 33% | 14% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $26,261 | $44,837 | — |
Older residents in towns around Palatka
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagler Estates, FL | 13 mi | 624 | 20% |
| Green Cove Springs, FL | 24 mi | 1,746 | 38% |
| St. Augustine Shores, FL | 25 mi | 3,186 | 27% |
| World Golf Village, FL | 25 mi | 5,175 | 17% |
| St. Augustine South, FL | 26 mi | 1,269 | 26% |
| Bunnell, FL | 27 mi | 1,136 | 29% |
Hospitals near Palatka
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCA Florida Putnam Hospital | Palatka, FL | 1.4 mi | 2 of 5 | (386) 328-5711 |
| Flagler Hospital | Saint Augustine, FL | 25 mi | 3 of 5 | (904) 819-5155 |
| Adventhealth Palm Coast Parkway | Palm Coast, FL | 28 mi | 4 of 5 | (386) 302-1800 |
| Adventhealth Palm Coast | Palm Coast, FL | 30 mi | 5 of 5 | (386) 586-2000 |
Home health agencies serving Palatka
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Gainesville, FL | 44 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (352) 376-3221 |
| Aveanna Home Health | Gainesville, FL | 44 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (352) 331-3280 |
| Trilogy Home Healthcare | Ocala, FL | 47 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (352) 236-6095 |
| HCA Florida Healthcare At Home | Gainesville, FL | 43 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (352) 395-6424 |
| Concierge Home Care | Ocala, FL | 43 mi | 4 of 5 | — | (352) 435-0101 |
| Concierge Home Care | The Villages, FL | 52 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (352) 435-0101 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Palatka. 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 Palatka
At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 64% of the $2,188 monthly median income of Palatka households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.
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 How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO.
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 Palatka: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Palatka?
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka, about 1.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Palatka (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (386) 328-5711. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Palatka?
Medicare lists 19 certified agencies whose service area includes Palatka ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Aveanna Home Health (4.5 of 5), Trilogy Home Healthcare (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Palatka?
At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 64% of the $2,188 monthly median income of Palatka households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.
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 Palatka
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Flagler Estates, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Green Cove Springs, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in St. Augustine Shores, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in World Golf Village, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in St. Augustine South, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Bunnell, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Butler Beach, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Palm Coast, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in St. Augustine Beach, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in St. Augustine, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Asbury Lake, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Middleburg, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Fruit Cove, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Fleming Island, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Starke, FL
- Post-Surgery Care in Nocatee, FL
Other care in Palatka
- Companion Care in Palatka
- Dementia Care in Palatka
- Respite Care in Palatka
- Live-In Caregivers in Palatka
- Senior Transportation in Palatka
- Home Health Aides in Palatka
- Nursing Assistants in Palatka
- Personal Care in Palatka
- Overnight Caregivers in Palatka
- 24-Hour Home Care in Palatka
- Mobility Assistance in Palatka
- Parkinson’s Care in Palatka
- Stroke Recovery Support in Palatka
- Disability Care for Adults in Palatka
- Hospice Support in Palatka
- Senior Meal Preparation in Palatka
- Senior Housekeeping in Palatka
- Medication Reminders in Palatka
- Veterans’ Home Care in Palatka
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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