Post-Surgery Home Care in Smithfield, NC

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Smithfield, NC: the local picture

1.2 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Smithfield)

13

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

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Johnston County)

2,473

residents 65 or older (20% of Smithfield)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Johnston Health in Smithfield, about 1.2 mi away in a straight line, followed by Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital (21 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 13 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Smithfield. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Smithfield compared with Johnston County and North Carolina

Census figure	Smithfield	Johnston County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	34%	33%
Residents 65 or older	20%	14%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	27%	28%
Households with no vehicle	11%	3.7%	5.3%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	1.3%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	19%	9.6%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$40,392	$53,545	—

Older residents in towns around Smithfield

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Selma, NC	3.6 mi	1,072	37%
Wilson's Mills, NC	4.3 mi	174	19%
Clayton, NC	11 mi	2,993	35%
Archer Lodge, NC	11 mi	907	24%
Benson, NC	14 mi	816	27%
Wendell, NC	19 mi	2,044	46%

Hospitals near Smithfield

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Johnston Health	Smithfield, NC	1.2 mi	4 of 5	(919) 934-8171
Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital	Dunn, NC	21 mi	3 of 5	(910) 892-7161
Wakemed, Raleigh Campus	Raleigh, NC	22 mi	4 of 5	(919) 350-8000
Unc Health Care Wayne	Goldsboro, NC	27 mi	3 of 5	(919) 736-1110

Home health agencies serving Smithfield

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Pruitthealth At Home - Wake	Raleigh, NC	26 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(919) 838-2768
Centerwell Home Health	Goldsboro, NC	27 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	—
Centerwell Home Health	Raleigh, NC	27 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	—
Well Care Home Health Of The Southern Triangle, Inc.	Holly Springs, NC	29 mi	4.5 of 5	—	(919) 346-0075
Well Care Home Health, Inc	Raleigh, NC	29 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(919) 846-1018
Amedisys Home Health	Durham, NC	42 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(919) 941-5793

Straight-line miles from the center of Smithfield. 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 Smithfield

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,366 monthly median income of Smithfield households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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.

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 Smithfield: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Smithfield?

Johnston Health in Smithfield, about 1.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Smithfield (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (919) 934-8171. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Smithfield?

Medicare lists 13 certified agencies whose service area includes Smithfield ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Pruitthealth At Home - Wake (4.5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Smithfield?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,366 monthly median income of Smithfield households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Smithfield

More senior care near Smithfield

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Smithfield

More for Smithfield 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 Smithfield, NC