Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Wilkes-Barre, PA

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 Wilkes-Barre for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Wilkes-Barre, PA: the local picture

1.8 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Wilkes-Barre)
18
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Wilkes-Barre ZIP codes in their service area
35%
of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Luzerne County)
6,791
residents 65 or older (15% of Wilkes-Barre)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Wilkes-Barre General Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, about 1.8 mi away in a straight line, followed by Wilkes Barre Va Medical Center (1.8 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 18 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Wilkes-Barre. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Wilkes-Barre compared with Luzerne County and Pennsylvania

Census figureWilkes-BarreLuzerne CountyPennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability35%32%32%
Residents 65 or older15%20%19%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone41%33%30%
Households with no vehicle18%9.5%10%
Residents 85 or older2.3%2.5%2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)13%11%9.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$38,975$49,926—

Older residents in towns around Wilkes-Barre

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Kingston, PA1.4 mi2,49631%
Edwardsville, PA2.0 mi76046%
Forty Fort, PA2.3 mi69822%
Plains, PA2.4 mi96742%
Ashley, PA2.6 mi44827%
Luzerne, PA3.0 mi73548%

Hospitals near Wilkes-Barre

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Wilkes-Barre General HospitalWilkes-Barre, PA1.8 mi2 of 5(570) 829-8111
Wilkes Barre Va Medical CenterWilkes-Barre, PA1.8 mi5 of 5(570) 824-3521
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical CenterWilkes Barre, PA1.8 mi4 of 5(570) 826-7300
Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson CityDickson City, PA16 mi3 of 5(570) 330-5000

Home health agencies serving Wilkes-Barre

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Personal Home Healthcare And HospiceBlakely, PA21 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(570) 342-3314
Revolutionary Home Health IncEynon, PA24 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(570) 383-7502
Aveanna Home HealthWest Pittston, PA8.5 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(570) 655-3581
Superior Health Services IncDupont, PA9.8 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work(570) 883-9581
Allied Services Home HealthClarks Summit, PA19 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(570) 348-2200
Geisinger Home HealthDanville, PA43 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(570) 284-3390

Straight-line miles from the center of Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,248 monthly median income of Wilkes-Barre households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Wilkes-Barre: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Wilkes-Barre?

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, about 1.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Wilkes-Barre (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (570) 829-8111. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Wilkes-Barre?

Medicare lists 18 certified agencies whose service area includes Wilkes-Barre ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Personal Home Healthcare And Hospice (5 of 5), Revolutionary Home Health Inc (5 of 5), Aveanna Home Health (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Wilkes-Barre?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,248 monthly median income of Wilkes-Barre households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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; 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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