Salem, Virginia

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Salem, VA

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

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Salem, VA: the local picture

0.8 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Salem)
12
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Salem ZIP codes in their service area
29%
of residents 65+ report a disability
5,016
residents 65 or older (20% of Salem)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Lewisgale Medical Center in Salem, about 0.8 mi away in a straight line, followed by Salem Va Medical Center (0.8 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 12 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Salem. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Salem compared with Virginia

Census figureSalemVirginia
Residents 65+ with a disability29%31%
Residents 65 or older20%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone31%27%
Households with no vehicle6.4%6.1%
Residents 85 or older2.4%1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)9.3%8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$53,225—

Older residents in towns around Salem

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Cave Spring, VA4.8 mi4,83331%
Roanoke, VA5.4 mi17,46634%
Hollins, VA7.0 mi4,14626%
Vinton, VA9.2 mi1,47637%
Cloverdale, VA9.7 mi93219%
Daleville, VA12 mi1,22126%

Hospitals near Salem

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Lewisgale Medical CenterSalem, VA0.8 mi2 of 5(540) 776-4100
Salem Va Medical CenterSalem, VA0.8 mi4 of 5(540) 982-2463
Carilion Medical CenterRoanoke, VA7.0 mi3 of 5(540) 981-7000
Lewisgale Hospital MontgomeryBlacksburg, VA21 mi3 of 5(540) 951-1111

Home health agencies serving Salem

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Centerwell Home HealthRoanoke, VA9.4 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(540) 362-7578
Amedisys Home Health CareRoanoke, VA9.4 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(540) 265-5980
Brandon Oaks At HomeRoanoke, VA2.4 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(540) 283-8649
Carilion Home Care Services - RoanokeRoanoke, VA5.7 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(540) 633-9314
Advanced Health ServicesRoanoke, VA7.0 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy(540) 994-9811
Medi Home Health AgencyPulaski, VA43 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides(540) 382-5637

Straight-line miles from the center of Salem. 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 Salem

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,435 monthly median income of Salem households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Salem: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Salem?

Lewisgale Medical Center in Salem, about 0.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Salem (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (540) 776-4100. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Salem?

Medicare lists 12 certified agencies whose service area includes Salem ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Amedisys Home Health Care (4.5 of 5), Brandon Oaks At Home (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Salem?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,435 monthly median income of Salem households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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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