Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Wilmington, DE
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 Wilmington for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Wilmington, DE: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware in Wilmington, about 1.0 mi away in a straight line, followed by St Francis Hospital (2.7 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 15 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Wilmington. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Wilmington compared with New Castle County and Delaware
| Census figure | Wilmington | New Castle County | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 31% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 17% | 21% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 28% | 25% |
| Households with no vehicle | 22% | 7.5% | 6.2% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.7% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 18% | 7.8% | 7.6% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $43,866 | $68,907 | — |
Older residents in towns around Wilmington
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edgemoor, DE | 1.9 mi | 983 | 39% |
| Elsmere, DE | 3.3 mi | 774 | 37% |
| Penns Grove, NJ | 3.4 mi | 437 | 39% |
| Carneys Point, NJ | 4.0 mi | 1,719 | 38% |
| Wilmington Manor, DE | 4.4 mi | 1,602 | 32% |
| Greenville, DE | 4.7 mi | 988 | 16% |
Hospitals near Wilmington
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware | Wilmington, DE | 1.0 mi | not rated | (302) 651-4000 |
| St Francis Hospital | Wilmington, DE | 2.7 mi | 3 of 5 | (302) 421-4100 |
| Wilmington Va Medical Center | Wilmington, DE | 2.7 mi | 4 of 5 | (302) 994-2511 |
| Rockford Center | Newark, DE | 11 mi | not rated | (302) 996-5480 |
Home health agencies serving Wilmington
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amedisys Delaware, LLC | Dover, DE | 40 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (302) 678-4764 |
| Aveanna Home Healthcare | Milford, DE | 57 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (302) 514-9597 |
| Saint Francis Home Care | Newark, DE | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (302) 575-8240 |
| Mercy Home Health | Newtown, PA | 48 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (267) 569-0760 |
| Christianacare Homehealth | Wilmington, DE | 4.4 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (302) 327-5200 |
| Christianacare Homehealth | Camden, DE | 44 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (302) 698-4300 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Wilmington. 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 Wilmington
At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,656 monthly median income of Wilmington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware's minimum wage is $15.00 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.
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 Wilmington: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Wilmington?
Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware in Wilmington, about 1.0 mi in a straight line from the center of Wilmington (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (302) 651-4000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Wilmington?
Medicare lists 15 certified agencies whose service area includes Wilmington ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Amedisys Delaware, LLC (4.5 of 5), Aveanna Home Healthcare (4.5 of 5), Saint Francis Home Care (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Wilmington?
At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,656 monthly median income of Wilmington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware's minimum wage is $15.00 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 senior care near Wilmington
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Edgemoor, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in Elsmere, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in Penns Grove, NJ
- Post-Surgery Care in Carneys Point, NJ
- Post-Surgery Care in Wilmington Manor, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in Greenville, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in New Castle, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in Claymont, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in Pennsville, NJ
- Post-Surgery Care in Boothwyn, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Linwood, PA
- Post-Surgery Care in Hockessin, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in Pike Creek, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in Pike Creek Valley, DE
- Post-Surgery Care in Beckett, NJ
- Post-Surgery Care in Brookside, DE
Other care in Wilmington
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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