Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Pierre, SD
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 Pierre for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Pierre, SD: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Avera St Mary's Hospital in Pierre, about 0.4 mi away in a straight line. Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 1 certified home health agency whose service area includes Pierre. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Pierre compared with Hughes County and South Dakota
| Census figure | Pierre | Hughes County | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 22% | 23% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 18% | 18% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 37% | 35% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.2% | 7.8% | 5.2% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.3% | 2.2% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 8.7% | 10.0% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $48,900 | $50,137 | — |
Hospitals near Pierre
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avera St Mary's Hospital | Pierre, SD | 0.4 mi | 2 of 5 | (605) 224-3100 |
Home health agencies serving Pierre
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avera @ Home | Pierre, SD | 0.4 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (605) 224-3218 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Pierre. 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 Pierre
At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $4,075 monthly median income of Pierre households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Pierre: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Pierre?
Avera St Mary's Hospital in Pierre, about 0.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Pierre (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (605) 224-3100. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Pierre?
Medicare lists 1 certified agencies whose service area includes Pierre ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Avera @ Home (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Pierre?
At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $4,075 monthly median income of Pierre households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Pierre
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
Other care in Pierre
- Companion Care in Pierre
- Dementia Care in Pierre
- Respite Care in Pierre
- Live-In Caregivers in Pierre
- Senior Transportation in Pierre
- Home Health Aides in Pierre
- Nursing Assistants in Pierre
- Personal Care in Pierre
- Overnight Caregivers in Pierre
- 24-Hour Home Care in Pierre
- Mobility Assistance in Pierre
- Parkinson’s Care in Pierre
- Stroke Recovery Support in Pierre
- Disability Care for Adults in Pierre
- Hospice Support in Pierre
- Senior Meal Preparation in Pierre
- Senior Housekeeping in Pierre
- Medication Reminders in Pierre
- Veterans’ Home Care in Pierre
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 Pierre
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Pierre can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
