Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Zapata, TX
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 Zapata for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Zapata, TX: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, about 35 mi away in a straight line. Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 26 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Zapata. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Zapata compared with Zapata County and Texas
| Census figure | Zapata | Zapata County | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 33% | 45% | 35% |
| Residents 65 or older | 20% | 14% | 13% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 41% | 32% | 25% |
| Households with no vehicle | 14% | 8.8% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 3.6% | 2.4% | 1.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 38% | 34% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $16,852 | $26,967 | — |
Older residents in towns around Zapata
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medina, TX | 2.3 mi | 294 | 47% |
| Rio Bravo, TX | 35 mi | 467 | 56% |
| Roma, TX | 37 mi | 1,712 | 63% |
| Escobares, TX | 39 mi | 396 | 61% |
| Rio Grande City, TX | 45 mi | 1,552 | 51% |
| Hebbronville, TX | 46 mi | 381 | 31% |
Hospitals near Zapata
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo Medical Center | Laredo, TX | 35 mi | 4 of 5 | (956) 796-5000 |
Home health agencies serving Zapata
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caridad Healthcare Inc | Roma, TX | 37 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (956) 519-3227 |
| Healing Hands Home Health Care LLC | Laredo, TX | 47 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work | (956) 727-9111 |
| Superior Nursing Care | Laredo, TX | 47 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (956) 728-0411 |
| Mar-Del Home Health LLC | Laredo, TX | 47 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (956) 753-7007 |
| Alfa Home Health | Laredo, TX | 47 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (956) 568-2240 |
| Amado Hospice & Home Health | Harlingen, TX | 106 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (956) 444-4600 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Zapata. 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 Zapata
At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 72% of the $1,404 monthly median income of Zapata households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 STAR+PLUS in Texas: using consumer directed services to pay a family caregiver.
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 Zapata: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Zapata?
Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, about 35 mi in a straight line from the center of Zapata (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (956) 796-5000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Zapata?
Medicare lists 26 certified agencies whose service area includes Zapata ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Caridad Healthcare Inc (3.5 of 5), Healing Hands Home Health Care LLC (3 of 5), Superior Nursing Care (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Zapata?
At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 72% of the $1,404 monthly median income of Zapata households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 senior care near Zapata
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Medina, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Rio Bravo, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Roma, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Escobares, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Rio Grande City, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Hebbronville, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Laredo, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Sullivan City, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Salida del Sol Estates, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in La Joya, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Penitas, TX
- Post-Surgery Care in Doffing, TX
Other care in Zapata
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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