Winnebago, Illinois

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Winnebago, IL

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

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Winnebago, IL: the local picture

8.1 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Rockford)
15
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Winnebago ZIP codes in their service area
46%
of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Winnebago County)
650
residents 65 or older (22% of Winnebago)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Uw Health in Rockford, about 8.1 mi away in a straight line, followed by Javon Bea Hospital (8.1 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 Winnebago. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Winnebago compared with Winnebago County and Illinois

Census figureWinnebagoWinnebago CountyIllinois
Residents 65+ with a disability46%36%32%
Residents 65 or older22%19%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone22%33%30%
Households with no vehicle3.2%8.6%11%
Residents 85 or older1.0%2.4%2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)5.0%9.9%10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$67,269$51,112—

Older residents in towns around Winnebago

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Rockford, IL8.7 mi26,20040%
Byron, IL10 mi61638%
Machesney Park, IL13 mi3,93536%
Davis Junction, IL13 mi16663%
Loves Park, IL13 mi4,35040%
Cherry Valley, IL13 mi76623%

Hospitals near Winnebago

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Uw HealthRockford, IL8.1 mi3 of 5(815) 968-4400
Javon Bea HospitalRockford, IL8.1 mi3 of 5(815) 968-6861
Saint Anthony Medical CenterRockford, IL11 mi2 of 5(815) 226-2000
Fhn Memorial HospitalFreeport, IL21 mi3 of 5(815) 599-6000

Home health agencies serving Winnebago

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Elara Caring IxHuntley, IL42 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(847) 589-6976
Ascendant Home Health IncOak Brook, IL72 mi5 of 5—(847) 510-4106
Empower Home Health ServicesWest Dundee, IL50 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(847) 673-4110
Healthcare Plus CorporationRolling Meadows, IL64 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(847) 776-0800
Metropolitan Home Health Care, IncWheeling, IL67 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(847) 568-1033
Aspire Home Healthcare, LLCMorton Grove, IL76 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(312) 788-8014

Straight-line miles from the center of Winnebago. 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 Winnebago

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,606 monthly median income of Winnebago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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.

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 Winnebago: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Winnebago?

Uw Health in Rockford, about 8.1 mi in a straight line from the center of Winnebago (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (815) 968-4400. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Winnebago?

Medicare lists 15 certified agencies whose service area includes Winnebago ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring Ix (5 of 5), Ascendant Home Health Inc (5 of 5), Empower Home Health Services (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Winnebago?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,606 monthly median income of Winnebago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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.

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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