Paterson, New Jersey

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Paterson, NJ

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

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Paterson, NJ: the local picture

4.2 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Passaic)
3
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Paterson ZIP codes in their service area
33%
of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Passaic County)
19,287
residents 65 or older (12% of Paterson)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is St Mary's General Hospital in Passaic, about 4.2 mi away in a straight line, followed by Valley Hospital (5.5 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 3 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Paterson. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Paterson compared with Passaic County and New Jersey

Census figurePatersonPassaic CountyNew Jersey
Residents 65+ with a disability33%30%30%
Residents 65 or older12%16%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone26%25%27%
Households with no vehicle26%14%11%
Residents 85 or older1.1%1.9%2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)23%12%9.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$31,163$67,066—

Older residents in towns around Paterson

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Prospect Park, NJ1.9 mi76326%
Haledon, NJ2.1 mi1,48835%
Elmwood Park, NJ2.4 mi3,95425%
Woodland Park, NJ2.4 mi2,68521%
Fair Lawn, NJ2.8 mi6,43925%
Hawthorne, NJ2.9 mi4,04529%

Hospitals near Paterson

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
St Mary's General HospitalPassaic, NJ4.2 mi3 of 5(973) 365-4300
Valley HospitalParamus, NJ5.5 mi4 of 5(201) 447-8000
Bergen New Bridge Medical CenterParamus, NJ5.5 minot rated(201) 967-4000
Hackensack University Medical CenterHackensack, NJ6.2 mi5 of 5(551) 996-2000

Home health agencies serving Paterson

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Valley Home Care Inc.Paramus, NJ5.5 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(201) 291-6000
Adoration Home HealthClifton, NJ4.6 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(973) 365-5200
Visiting Health Services Of New JerseyWoodland Park, NJ3.5 mi3 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(973) 256-4636

Straight-line miles from the center of Paterson. 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 Paterson

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 60% of the $2,597 monthly median income of Paterson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 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 Paterson: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Paterson?

St Mary's General Hospital in Passaic, about 4.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Paterson (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (973) 365-4300. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Paterson?

Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Paterson ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Valley Home Care Inc. (4.5 of 5), Adoration Home Health (3.5 of 5), Visiting Health Services Of New Jersey (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Paterson?

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 60% of the $2,597 monthly median income of Paterson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 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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