Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Tea, SD
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 Tea for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Tea, SD: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Avera Heart Hospital Of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, about 6.2 mi away in a straight line, followed by Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center (15 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 3 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Tea. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Tea compared with Lincoln County and South Dakota
| Census figure | Tea | Lincoln County | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 29% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 5.5% | 15% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 11% | 22% | 30% |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.0% | 2.1% | 5.2% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.2% | 1.3% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 14% | 5.3% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $73,681 | $71,722 | — |
Older residents in towns around Tea
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg, SD | 5.8 mi | 312 | 61% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 7.5 mi | 28,329 | 29% |
| Hartford, SD | 13 mi | 614 | 33% |
| Brandon, SD | 15 mi | 1,627 | 32% |
| Canton, SD | 16 mi | 786 | 30% |
| Dell Rapids, SD | 26 mi | 703 | 27% |
Hospitals near Tea
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avera Heart Hospital Of South Dakota | Sioux Falls, SD | 6.2 mi | 5 of 5 | (605) 977-7000 |
| Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center | Sioux Falls, SD | 15 mi | 4 of 5 | (605) 322-8000 |
| Sanford Usd Medical Center | Sioux Falls, SD | 15 mi | 5 of 5 | (605) 333-1000 |
| Sioux Falls Va Medical Center | Sioux Falls, SD | 15 mi | 5 of 5 | (605) 336-3230 |
Home health agencies serving Tea
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avera @ Home | Sioux Falls, SD | 6.2 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (605) 322-4663 |
| Sanford Home Health | Sioux Falls, SD | 7.9 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (605) 328-5900 |
| Aveanna Home Health | Sioux Falls, SD | 8.9 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (605) 335-3373 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Tea. 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 Tea
At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $6,140 monthly median income of Tea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Tea: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Tea?
Avera Heart Hospital Of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, about 6.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Tea (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (605) 977-7000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Tea?
Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Tea ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Avera @ Home (4 of 5), Sanford Home Health (4 of 5), Aveanna Home Health (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Tea?
At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $6,140 monthly median income of Tea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Tea
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Harrisburg, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Sioux Falls, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Hartford, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Brandon, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Canton, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Dell Rapids, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Rock Valley, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Rock Rapids, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Luverne, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Hawarden, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Madison, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Sioux Center, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Pipestone, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Vermillion, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Yankton, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Orange City, IA
Other care in Tea
- Companion Care in Tea
- Dementia Care in Tea
- Respite Care in Tea
- Live-In Caregivers in Tea
- Senior Transportation in Tea
- Home Health Aides in Tea
- Nursing Assistants in Tea
- Personal Care in Tea
- Overnight Caregivers in Tea
- 24-Hour Home Care in Tea
- Mobility Assistance in Tea
- Parkinson’s Care in Tea
- Stroke Recovery Support in Tea
- Disability Care for Adults in Tea
- Hospice Support in Tea
- Senior Meal Preparation in Tea
- Senior Housekeeping in Tea
- Medication Reminders in Tea
- Veterans’ Home Care in Tea
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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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