Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Wisconsin Dells, WI

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

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Wisconsin Dells, WI: the local picture

11 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Baraboo)
8
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Wisconsin Dells ZIP codes in their service area
28%
of residents 65+ report a disability (25% in Columbia County)
555
residents 65 or older (22% of Wisconsin Dells)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Ssm Health St Clare Hospital - Baraboo in Baraboo, about 11 mi away in a straight line, followed by Reedsburg Area Medical Center (13 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 8 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Wisconsin Dells. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Wisconsin Dells compared with Columbia County and Wisconsin

Census figureWisconsin DellsColumbia CountyWisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability28%25%28%
Residents 65 or older22%20%19%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone51%27%30%
Households with no vehicle12%4.4%6.4%
Residents 85 or older3.7%1.9%2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)13%7.7%9.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$44,091$57,885—

Older residents in towns around Wisconsin Dells

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Lake Delton, WI3.2 mi78128%
Baraboo, WI12 mi2,61038%
Reedsburg, WI13 mi2,15331%
Portage, WI17 mi1,52038%
Mauston, WI19 mi88045%
Lake Wisconsin, WI21 mi1,23414%

Hospitals near Wisconsin Dells

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Ssm Health St Clare Hospital - BarabooBaraboo, WI11 mi4 of 5(608) 356-1400
Reedsburg Area Medical CenterReedsburg, WI13 mi5 of 5(608) 524-6487
Aspirus Divine Savior HospitalPortage, WI16 mi3 of 5(608) 742-4131
Mile Bluff Medical CenterMauston, WI18 mi4 of 5(608) 847-6161

Home health agencies serving Wisconsin Dells

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Aveanna Home HealthBaraboo, WI11 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides(608) 356-7570
Aspirus At HomeWausau, WI92 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(715) 847-2600
Ssm Health At Home Home Health-WisconsinMadison, WI45 mi3 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(800) 924-2273
Homeward Bound Home HealthLancaster, WI72 mi2.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides(608) 723-6601
Commonheart Home HealthWaukesha, WI87 mi2.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(920) 261-7108
Transitions At Home Of Western WisconsinMount Horeb, WI44 mi2 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides(608) 437-5515

Straight-line miles from the center of Wisconsin Dells. 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 Wisconsin Dells

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,674 monthly median income of Wisconsin Dells households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

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 Wisconsin Dells: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Wisconsin Dells?

Ssm Health St Clare Hospital - Baraboo in Baraboo, about 11 mi in a straight line from the center of Wisconsin Dells (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (608) 356-1400. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Wisconsin Dells?

Medicare lists 8 certified agencies whose service area includes Wisconsin Dells ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Aveanna Home Health (4.5 of 5), Aspirus At Home (3.5 of 5), Ssm Health At Home Home Health-Wisconsin (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Wisconsin Dells?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,674 monthly median income of Wisconsin Dells households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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.

More near Wisconsin Dells

More senior care near Wisconsin Dells

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Wisconsin Dells

More for Wisconsin Dells 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.

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