Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Tacoma, WA
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 Tacoma for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Tacoma, WA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is St Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, about 0.3 mi away in a straight line, followed by Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital (0.3 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 16 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Tacoma. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Tacoma compared with Pierce County and Washington
| Census figure | Tacoma | Pierce County | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 38% | 36% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 15% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 30% | 25% | 26% |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.8% | 5.4% | 7.1% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.7% | 1.5% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 8.8% | 8.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $60,212 | $70,061 | — |
Older residents in towns around Tacoma
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fircrest, WA | 3.0 mi | 1,314 | 34% |
| University Place, WA | 4.8 mi | 6,796 | 32% |
| Fife, WA | 5.3 mi | 790 | 44% |
| Waller, WA | 5.4 mi | 1,331 | 36% |
| Midland, WA | 5.9 mi | 1,223 | 52% |
| Wollochet, WA | 5.9 mi | 1,739 | 38% |
Hospitals near Tacoma
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph Medical Center | Tacoma, WA | 0.3 mi | 3 of 5 | (253) 627-4101 |
| Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital | Tacoma, WA | 0.3 mi | 2 of 5 | (253) 403-1000 |
| Madigan Amc (Ft Lewis) | Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord, WA | 0.7 mi | not rated | (253) 968-1110 |
| Mary Bridge Children's Hospital | Tacoma, WA | 0.7 mi | not rated | (253) 403-1400 |
Home health agencies serving Tacoma
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puget Sound Home Health | Tacoma, WA | 3.5 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (253) 581-9410 |
| Centerwell Home Health | Tacoma, WA | 3.5 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (253) 475-6862 |
| Eden Home Health | Tukwila, WA | 32 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (360) 717-8161 |
| Puget Sound Home Health Of King County | Tacoma, WA | 3.5 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, medical social work | (253) 735-4282 |
| Signature Healthcare At Home | Federal Way, WA | 8.4 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (253) 661-5166 |
| Chi Franciscan Health At Home | University Place, WA | 4.1 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (253) 543-7026 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Tacoma. 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 Tacoma
At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $5,018 monthly median income of Tacoma households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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.
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 Tacoma: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Tacoma?
St Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, about 0.3 mi in a straight line from the center of Tacoma (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (253) 627-4101. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Tacoma?
Medicare lists 16 certified agencies whose service area includes Tacoma ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Puget Sound Home Health (5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Eden Home Health (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Tacoma?
At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $5,018 monthly median income of Tacoma households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Tacoma
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Fircrest, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in University Place, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Fife, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Waller, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Midland, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Wollochet, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Milton, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lakewood, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Federal Way, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Summit, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Parkland, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Edgewood, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lakeland South, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in McChord AFB, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Clover Creek, WA
- Post-Surgery Care in Steilacoom, WA
Other care in Tacoma
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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