Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in San Diego, 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 San Diego for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in San Diego, CA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, about 1.2 mi away in a straight line, followed by Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego (4.0 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 257 certified home health agencies whose service area includes San Diego. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
San Diego compared with San Diego County and California
| Census figure | San Diego | San Diego County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 31% | 31% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 15% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 24% | 22% | 23% |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.6% | 5.5% | 7.1% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.7% | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 10% | 9.5% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $80,124 | $78,324 | — |
Older residents in towns around San Diego
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mesa, CA | 7.3 mi | 9,437 | 31% |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 8.2 mi | 4,042 | 40% |
| Santee, CA | 9.1 mi | 9,812 | 38% |
| El Cajon, CA | 10 mi | 15,161 | 43% |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA | 10 mi | 4,223 | 30% |
| La Presa, CA | 10 mi | 5,288 | 36% |
Hospitals near San Diego
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp Memorial Hospital | San Diego, CA | 1.2 mi | 4 of 5 | (858) 939-3400 |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego | San Diego, CA | 4.0 mi | 4 of 5 | (619) 528-5000 |
| UC San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr | San Diego, CA | 5.0 mi | 5 of 5 | (619) 543-6222 |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital | San Diego, CA | 5.0 mi | 4 of 5 | (619) 294-8111 |
Home health agencies serving San Diego
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Home Health Inc | San Diego, CA | 1.2 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (858) 541-2000 |
| Health Plus Home Health Care Inc | San Diego, CA | 2.5 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (619) 223-2779 |
| Advantage Health Systems | San Diego, CA | 7.0 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (858) 433-0469 |
| Trio Home Health Care Of San Diego Inc | Encinitas, CA | 18 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (760) 632-8746 |
| Archer Health Inc | Carlsbad, CA | 26 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (800) 689-5049 |
| Big Vine Home Health Services, Inc | Stanton, CA | 84 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (714) 622-8338 |
Straight-line miles from the center of San Diego. 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 San Diego
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 22% of the $6,677 monthly median income of San Diego 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 San Diego: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to San Diego?
Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, about 1.2 mi in a straight line from the center of San Diego (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (858) 939-3400. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve San Diego?
Medicare lists 257 certified agencies whose service area includes San Diego ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Absolute Home Health Inc (5 of 5), Health Plus Home Health Care Inc (5 of 5), Advantage Health Systems (5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in San Diego?
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 22% of the $6,677 monthly median income of San Diego 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 San Diego
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in La Jolla, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in La Mesa, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lemon Grove, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Santee, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in El Cajon, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in La Presa, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in National City, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Coronado, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Spring Valley, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Bostonia, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Eucalyptus Hills, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Winter Gardens, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Bonita, CA
- Post-Surgery Care in Fairbanks Ranch, CA
Other care in San Diego
- Companion Care in San Diego
- Dementia Care in San Diego
- Respite Care in San Diego
- Live-In Caregivers in San Diego
- Senior Transportation in San Diego
- Home Health Aides in San Diego
- Nursing Assistants in San Diego
- Personal Care in San Diego
- Overnight Caregivers in San Diego
- 24-Hour Home Care in San Diego
- Mobility Assistance in San Diego
- Parkinson’s Care in San Diego
- Stroke Recovery Support in San Diego
- Disability Care for Adults in San Diego
- Hospice Support in San Diego
- Senior Meal Preparation in San Diego
- Senior Housekeeping in San Diego
- Medication Reminders in San Diego
- Veterans’ Home Care in San Diego
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 San Diego
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near San Diego can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
