Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Waco, TX
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 Waco for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Waco, TX: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Ascension Providence in Waco, about 4.4 mi away in a straight line, followed by Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Hillcrest (4.4 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 31 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Waco. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Waco compared with McLennan County and Texas
| Census figure | Waco | McLennan County | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 40% | 37% | 35% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 15% | 13% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 32% | 25% | 25% |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 13% | 10% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $46,729 | $56,849 | — |
Older residents in towns around Waco
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodway, TX | 4.8 mi | 2,201 | 24% |
| Bellmead, TX | 6.6 mi | 1,485 | 25% |
| Lacy-Lakeview, TX | 7.1 mi | 800 | 46% |
| Hewitt, TX | 7.4 mi | 3,097 | 36% |
| Robinson, TX | 8.3 mi | 1,865 | 30% |
| McGregor, TX | 17 mi | 858 | 43% |
Hospitals near Waco
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension Providence | Waco, TX | 4.4 mi | 2 of 5 | (254) 751-4000 |
| Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Hillcrest | Waco, TX | 4.4 mi | 4 of 5 | (254) 202-2000 |
| Falls Community Hospital And Clinic | Marlin, TX | 25 mi | not rated | (254) 803-3561 |
| Goodall Witcher Hospital | Clifton, TX | 25 mi | not rated | (254) 675-8322 |
Home health agencies serving Waco
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Quality Home Health | Marlin, TX | 25 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (254) 803-3000 |
| Paradigm Home Health | Whitney, TX | 30 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (254) 694-1447 |
| Texmed Home Health Inc | Killeen, TX | 44 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy | (254) 526-8188 |
| Elara Caring | Teague, TX | 54 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (903) 723-1657 |
| Amedisys Home Health | San Antonio, TX | 160 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (210) 558-9606 |
| Magnolia Home Health | Waco, TX | 1.6 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (254) 751-9393 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Waco. 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 Waco
At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $3,894 monthly median income of Waco households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 STAR+PLUS in Texas: using consumer directed services to pay a family 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 Waco: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Waco?
Ascension Providence in Waco, about 4.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Waco (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (254) 751-4000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Waco?
Medicare lists 31 certified agencies whose service area includes Waco ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Texas Quality Home Health (5 of 5), Paradigm Home Health (5 of 5), Texmed Home Health Inc (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Waco?
At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $3,894 monthly median income of Waco households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 senior care near Waco
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Woodway, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Bellmead, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Lacy-Lakeview, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Hewitt, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Robinson, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in McGregor, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in West, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Marlin, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Troy, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Clifton, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Hillsboro, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Morgan's Point Resort, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Temple, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Gatesville, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Belton, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Groesbeck, TX
Other care in Waco
- Companion Care in Waco
- Dementia Care in Waco
- Respite Care in Waco
- Live-In Caregivers in Waco
- Senior Transportation in Waco
- Home Health Aides in Waco
- Nursing Assistants in Waco
- Personal Care in Waco
- Overnight Caregivers in Waco
- 24-Hour Home Care in Waco
- Mobility Assistance in Waco
- Parkinson’s Care in Waco
- Stroke Recovery Support in Waco
- Disability Care for Adults in Waco
- Hospice Support in Waco
- Senior Meal Preparation in Waco
- Senior Housekeeping in Waco
- Medication Reminders in Waco
- Veterans’ Home Care in Waco
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 Waco
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Waco can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
