Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Smithville, MO
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 Smithville for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Smithville, MO: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Saint Lukes North Hospital in Kansas City, about 10 mi away in a straight line, followed by Liberty Hospital (13 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 23 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Smithville. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Smithville compared with Clay County and Missouri
| Census figure | Smithville | Clay County | Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 32% | 33% | 34% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 15% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 26% | 29% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.6% | 4.7% | 6.6% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.4% | 1.4% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 9.0% | 9.2% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $59,333 | $57,117 | — |
Older residents in towns around Smithville
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platte City, MO | 10 mi | 824 | 26% |
| Kearney, MO | 12 mi | 1,967 | 33% |
| Gladstone, MO | 13 mi | 5,586 | 32% |
| Pleasant Valley, MO | 13 mi | 479 | 46% |
| Liberty, MO | 13 mi | 4,881 | 36% |
| Parkville, MO | 14 mi | 1,088 | 9.8% |
Hospitals near Smithville
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Lukes North Hospital | Kansas City, MO | 10 mi | 5 of 5 | (816) 891-6000 |
| Liberty Hospital | Liberty, MO | 13 mi | 2 of 5 | (816) 781-7200 |
| Nkc Health | North Kansas City, MO | 17 mi | 4 of 5 | (816) 691-2000 |
| Excelsior Springs Hospital | Excelsior Springs, MO | 19 mi | not rated | (816) 630-6081 |
Home health agencies serving Smithville
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Lukes Home Care | Kansas City, MO | 24 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (816) 756-1160 |
| Mosaic Life Care Home Health | Saint Joseph, MO | 28 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (816) 271-7593 |
| Centerwell Home Health | Overland Park, KS | 33 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (913) 906-0522 |
| Elara Caring | Jefferson City, MO | 137 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (800) 690-1753 |
| Faith Home Healthcare | Gladstone, MO | 14 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (913) 296-7636 |
| Phoenix Home Care | Independence, MO | 25 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (816) 373-7442 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Smithville. 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 Smithville
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 28% of the $4,944 monthly median income of Smithville 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.
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 Smithville: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Smithville?
Saint Lukes North Hospital in Kansas City, about 10 mi in a straight line from the center of Smithville (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (816) 891-6000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Smithville?
Medicare lists 23 certified agencies whose service area includes Smithville ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Saint Lukes Home Care (4.5 of 5), Mosaic Life Care 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 Smithville?
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 28% of the $4,944 monthly median income of Smithville 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 senior care near Smithville
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Platte City, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Kearney, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Gladstone, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Pleasant Valley, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Liberty, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Parkville, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Riverside, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Lathrop, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in North Kansas City, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Excelsior Springs, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Kansas City, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Lawson, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Leavenworth, KS
- Post-Surgery Care in Sugar Creek, MO
- Post-Surgery Care in Lansing, KS
- Post-Surgery Care in Kansas City, KS
Other care in Smithville
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 Smithville
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Smithville can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
