Watford City, North Dakota

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Watford City, ND

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 Watford City for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Watford City, ND: the local picture

0.4 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Watford City)
1
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Watford City ZIP codes in their service area
31%
of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in McKenzie County)
311
residents 65 or older (5.1% of Watford City)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mckenzie County Healthcare Systems Inc in Watford City, about 0.4 mi away in a straight line, followed by Chi St Alexius Health Williston (34 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 1 certified home health agency whose service area includes Watford City. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Watford City compared with McKenzie County and North Dakota

Census figureWatford CityMcKenzie CountyNorth Dakota
Residents 65+ with a disability31%34%31%
Residents 65 or older5.1%9.3%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone43%28%33%
Households with no vehicle4.5%5.0%5.9%
Residents 85 or older0.9%0.7%2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)21%16%9.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$48,864$57,853—

Older residents in towns around Watford City

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Williston, ND32 mi2,81032%
New Town, ND38 mi24026%
Sidney, MT42 mi83831%
Dickinson, ND67 mi3,24132%

Hospitals near Watford City

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Mckenzie County Healthcare Systems IncWatford City, ND0.4 minot rated(701) 842-3000
Chi St Alexius Health WillistonWilliston, ND34 mi3 of 5(701) 774-7400

Home health agencies serving Watford City

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Chi Health At Home - HhaWilliston, ND34 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(701) 774-7430

Straight-line miles from the center of Watford City. 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 Watford City

At the North Dakota median aide wage of $18.96 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,643 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $4,072 monthly median income of Watford City households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Dakota'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 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 Watford City: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Watford City?

Mckenzie County Healthcare Systems Inc in Watford City, about 0.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Watford City (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (701) 842-3000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Watford City?

Medicare lists 1 certified agencies whose service area includes Watford City ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Chi Health At Home - Hha (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Watford City?

At the North Dakota median aide wage of $18.96 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,643 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $4,072 monthly median income of Watford City households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Dakota'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.

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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