Post-Surgery Care in Potosi, MO: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Potosi, MO: the local picture

3.9 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Potosi)

7

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

54%

of residents 65+ report a disability (46% in Washington County)

465

residents 65 or older (18% of Potosi)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Washington County Memorial Hospital in Potosi, about 3.9 mi away in a straight line, followed by Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre (12 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 7 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Potosi. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Potosi compared with Washington County and Missouri

Census figure	Potosi	Washington County	Missouri
Residents 65+ with a disability	54%	46%	34%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	26%	30%
Households with no vehicle	15%	10.0%	6.6%
Residents 85 or older	3.1%	2.2%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	9.8%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$35,156	$40,359	—

Older residents in towns around Potosi

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Terre du Lac, MO	8.8 mi	500	32%
Bonne Terre, MO	13 mi	848	46%
Desloge, MO	15 mi	968	36%
Park Hills, MO	17 mi	1,028	50%
De Soto, MO	18 mi	1,115	42%
Farmington, MO	22 mi	3,359	35%

Hospitals near Potosi

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Washington County Memorial Hospital	Potosi, MO	3.9 mi	not rated	(573) 438-5451
Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre	Bonne Terre, MO	12 mi	not rated	(573) 358-1400
Iron County Medical Center	Pilot Knob, MO	23 mi	not rated	(573) 546-1260
Parkland Health Center	Farmington, MO	23 mi	4 of 5	(573) 431-6005

Home health agencies serving Potosi

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Elara Caring	Farmington, MO	23 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(866) 431-3956
Centerwell Home Health	Rolla, MO	54 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(573) 341-3456
Amedisys Home Health Of Missouri	Hillsboro, MO	25 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(636) 789-4715
Mercy Home Health	Saint Louis, MO	50 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(314) 729-4550
Apollo Medical	Saint Louis, MO	53 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(314) 692-0611
Bjc Home Care Services	Saint Louis, MO	53 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(314) 362-0200

Straight-line miles from the center of Potosi. 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 Potosi

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $2,930 monthly median income of Potosi households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.

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 Potosi: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Potosi?

Washington County Memorial Hospital in Potosi, about 3.9 mi in a straight line from the center of Potosi (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (573) 438-5451. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Potosi?

Medicare lists 7 certified agencies whose service area includes Potosi ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Amedisys Home Health Of Missouri (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Potosi?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $2,930 monthly median income of Potosi households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Potosi

More senior care near Potosi

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Potosi

More for Potosi 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 Potosi, MO