Post-Surgery Care in Waimea, HI: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Waimea, HI: the local picture

5.2 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Kamuela)

2

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

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Hawaii County)

2,256

residents 65 or older (24% of Waimea)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is North Hawaii Community Hospital, Inc in Kamuela, about 5.2 mi away in a straight line, followed by Honoka'a Hospital And Skilled Nursing (10 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 2 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Waimea. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Waimea compared with Hawaii County and Hawaii

Census figure	Waimea	Hawaii County	Hawaii
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	33%	32%
Residents 65 or older	24%	24%	20%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	22%	22%	20%
Households with no vehicle	0.9%	4.8%	8.2%
Residents 85 or older	3.0%	2.3%	2.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.6%	11%	9.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$88,875	$69,877	—

Older residents in towns around Waimea

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Waikoloa Village, HI	13 mi	1,521	26%
Kaiminani, HI	30 mi	2,659	24%
Holualoa, HI	30 mi	790	20%
Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI	37 mi	1,767	22%
Captain Cook, HI	39 mi	787	31%
Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI	40 mi	754	29%

Hospitals near Waimea

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
North Hawaii Community Hospital, Inc	Kamuela, HI	5.2 mi	3 of 5	(808) 885-4444
Honoka'a Hospital And Skilled Nursing	Honokaa, HI	10 mi	not rated	(808) 932-4000
Kohala Hospital	Kapaau, HI	18 mi	not rated	(808) 889-6211
Kona Community Hospital	Kealakekua, HI	39 mi	2 of 5	(808) 322-9311

Home health agencies serving Waimea

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Home Health Kauai	Lihue, HI	277 mi	2.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(808) 245-5121
Kokua Healthcare LLC	Lihue, HI	277 mi	not rated	—	(808) 466-1863

Straight-line miles from the center of Waimea. 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 Waimea

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $7,406 monthly median income of Waimea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 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 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 Waimea: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Waimea?

North Hawaii Community Hospital, Inc in Kamuela, about 5.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Waimea (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (808) 885-4444. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Waimea?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Waimea ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Home Health Kauai (2.5 of 5), Kokua Healthcare LLC (not rated). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Waimea?

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $7,406 monthly median income of Waimea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 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 near Waimea

More senior care near Waimea

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waimea

More for Waimea 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 Waimea, HI