Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Ridgecrest, CA
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 Ridgecrest for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Ridgecrest, CA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Ridgecrest Regional Hospital in Ridgecrest, about 0.6 mi away in a straight line. Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 56 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Ridgecrest. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Ridgecrest compared with Kern County and California
| Census figure | Ridgecrest | Kern County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 37% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 12% | 12% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 39% | 23% | 23% |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.8% | 6.7% | 7.1% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.7% | 1.2% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 14% | 15% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $62,118 | $51,607 | — |
Older residents in towns around Ridgecrest
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Lake Acres, CA | 5.8 mi | 392 | 35% |
| California City, CA | 35 mi | 1,875 | 47% |
| Boron, CA | 42 mi | 376 | 59% |
| Wofford Heights, CA | 46 mi | 787 | 25% |
| Lake Isabella, CA | 46 mi | 757 | 37% |
| Mojave, CA | 52 mi | 450 | 57% |
Hospitals near Ridgecrest
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgecrest Regional Hospital | Ridgecrest, CA | 0.6 mi | not rated | (760) 446-3551 |
Home health agencies serving Ridgecrest
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V & V Home Health Inc | Glendale, CA | 108 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (818) 918-1592 |
| Metropolitan Home Health | Valley Village, CA | 109 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (818) 508-5801 |
| Dependable Home Health, Inc | Mojave, CA | 49 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (661) 824-0133 |
| Brand Home Health Care Inc | Glendale, CA | 107 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (747) 215-9133 |
| Resolute Home Health Care Inc. | Glendale, CA | 108 mi | 4.5 of 5 | — | — |
| Noyan Home Health Care Inc. | Glendale, CA | 108 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (818) 507-9300 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Ridgecrest. 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 Ridgecrest
At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,177 monthly median income of Ridgecrest households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in California: IHSS, VA, Paid Family Leave.
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 Ridgecrest: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Ridgecrest?
Ridgecrest Regional Hospital in Ridgecrest, about 0.6 mi in a straight line from the center of Ridgecrest (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (760) 446-3551. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Ridgecrest?
Medicare lists 56 certified agencies whose service area includes Ridgecrest ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include V & V Home Health Inc (5 of 5), Metropolitan Home Health (5 of 5), Dependable Home Health, Inc (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Ridgecrest?
At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,177 monthly median income of Ridgecrest households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 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 Ridgecrest
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in China Lake Acres, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in California City, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Boron, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Wofford Heights, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lake Isabella, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Bodfish, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Mojave, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Edwards AFB, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Tehachapi, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Golden Hills, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lenwood, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Fort Irwin, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Rosamond, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Barstow, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Silver Lakes, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Bear Valley Springs, CA
Other care in Ridgecrest
- Companion Care in Ridgecrest
- Dementia Care in Ridgecrest
- Respite Care in Ridgecrest
- Live-In Caregivers in Ridgecrest
- Senior Transportation in Ridgecrest
- Home Health Aides in Ridgecrest
- Nursing Assistants in Ridgecrest
- Personal Care in Ridgecrest
- Overnight Caregivers in Ridgecrest
- 24-Hour Home Care in Ridgecrest
- Mobility Assistance in Ridgecrest
- Parkinson’s Care in Ridgecrest
- Stroke Recovery Support in Ridgecrest
- Disability Care for Adults in Ridgecrest
- Hospice Support in Ridgecrest
- Senior Meal Preparation in Ridgecrest
- Senior Housekeeping in Ridgecrest
- Medication Reminders in Ridgecrest
- Veterans’ Home Care in Ridgecrest
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 Ridgecrest
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Ridgecrest can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
