Home Care After Surgery or a Hospital Stay
Post-hospital care is nursing, therapy and daily help at home after surgery or a hospital stay. It is for patients going home who still need medical care or help getting around. Medicare often pays for eligible patients, and Health First Colorado, BCBS and Cigna may also cover it.
- Start within 48 hours
- Nurses, therapists and aides in one team
- Medicare-certified
- CDPHE Licensed #04Z659
- Medicare-Certified
- CHAP Accredited
- In-network: BCBS & Cigna
- Health First Colorado & IHSS
- Open 7 days, 8 AM–7 PM
- English · Русский · Español
Post-hospital care helps you recover at home after surgery or a hospital stay. Our nurses, therapists and aides follow the discharge plan, so nothing gets missed in the first critical weeks.
The first days home are when problems happen — missed medications, falls, infected incisions. Professional eyes in the home catch these early.
EliteCare Colorado is a Medicare-certified, CHAP-accredited agency (License #04Z659). Care can begin within 48 hours of receiving the referral and physician orders — including on weekends.
Is post-hospital care right for your family?
Recovering from a joint replacement.
Home after heart surgery or a heart failure stay.
A new wound or incision that needs care.
Many new medications to keep straight.
Weak, unsteady and at risk of falling.
Lives alone after discharge.
Not sure? Call us — a nurse will help you choose the right level of care.
What's included in our post-hospital care services
Care follows the hospital's discharge instructions and your doctor's orders.
Nursing visits
Registered nurses check your recovery at home.
Wound & incision care
Cleaning and dressing changes as ordered.
Medication review & teaching
We organize new medications and teach safe use.
Physical & occupational therapy
Rebuild strength and daily skills at home.
Personal care
Help with bathing, dressing and safe movement.
Meals
Simple, healthy meals while you recover.
Coordination with your doctors
We report progress to your surgeon and physician.
Need something else?
- If you need long-term help after recovery → Personal Care
- If you need ongoing companionship and housekeeping → Companion Care
What a visit looks like
- 1
Review the discharge plan
The nurse goes over the hospital instructions and medication list.
- 2
Check how you're healing
Vitals, the incision and any warning signs.
- 3
Do the ordered care
Wound care, medications, therapy or personal care as planned.
- 4
Teach what to watch for
You and your family learn the signs that need a call to the doctor.
- 5
Report to your doctors
Progress notes go to your surgeon and primary physician.
Who provides post-hospital care
Registered Nurse (RN)
Leads the transition home, reviews medications and provides skilled nursing.
Therapist (PT, OT, speech)
Rebuilds strength, daily skills and swallowing as ordered.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Helps with bathing, dressing and safe movement while you recover.
Every care plan is created and supervised by a registered nurse.
Why families choose EliteCare for post-hospital care
RN oversight at every level
Your RN reviews the discharge plan and coordinates recovery services.
One agency for every level of care
Nursing, therapy and personal care can support the same transition home.
Care can begin within 48 hours of receiving the referral and physician orders
Send the referral and physician orders so the team can arrange recovery care.
English, Russian and Spanish
Tell us your preferred language when reviewing discharge and medication instructions.
Open 7 days a week, 8 AM–7 PM
The office is open daily, including weekends, to discuss discharge needs.
How to start post-hospital care in Aurora and Denver
Step 1
Call or request an assessment
Share the discharge plan, referral and physician orders with our team.
Step 2
Free in-home RN assessment
The nurse reviews recovery needs, new medications and support at home.
Step 3
Your written care plan
The plan brings ordered nursing, therapy and daily help into one recovery schedule.
Step 4
Care begins with regular RN check-ins
Visits follow the discharge orders, with progress reported to your doctors.
How post-hospital care is paid for
Private pay & long-term care insurance
AvailablePrivate pay is available. Some long-term care policies may help.
Coverage depends on eligibility and your plan. We'll help you check your benefits.
Check my coverageCompare levels of care
| Feature | Post-Hospital Care | Home Health Care | In-Home Therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who provides | RNs, therapists and CNAs | RNs, LPNs and therapists | Licensed therapists |
| Typical tasks | Recovery after discharge: nursing, therapy, personal care | Wound care, injections, medications, vitals | Strength, balance, daily skills, speech and swallowing |
| Physician order needed? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Usually paid by | Medicare, Health First Colorado, BCBS & Cigna | Medicare, Health First Colorado, BCBS & Cigna | Medicare, Health First Colorado, BCBS & Cigna |
The first days after hospital discharge
Coming home from the hospital often means following a new set of instructions while feeling weaker than usual. There may be a changed medication list, a wound to care for or therapy to arrange. Post-hospital care brings nursing, therapy and personal support together around the discharge plan and physician’s orders.
Have discharge paperwork ready for the nurse to review. Tell us if your loved one lives alone or needs help with bathing, meals or movement, so daily needs are considered alongside medical tasks.
Managing new medications after a hospital stay
A hospital stay may lead to medicines being added, stopped or changed. The home health nurse reviews the discharge medication list and provides teaching about the ordered plan. Family members can raise questions about instructions that are unclear or different from what the person was taking before the stay.
The nurse coordinates questions and concerns with the physician rather than independently changing a prescription. Medication reminders from a caregiver are different from a skilled nursing medication review. The care plan identifies which kind of help is needed so the family knows who is responsible for each task during recovery.
Wound and incision care at home
After surgery, an incision may need checks and dressing changes by a nurse. Other wounds may also require skilled care after discharge. The nurse follows the physician’s orders, records the condition of the wound and reports changes to the surgeon or physician involved in the recovery plan.
Ask the nurse about care between visits and concerns to report. Dressing methods depend on physician orders. Caregivers helping with bathing or dressing do not replace skilled wound care.
Helping you avoid going back to the hospital
Recovery support helps the patient follow discharge instructions and identifies concerns to report to the physician. Nursing, medication teaching and therapy address the ordered plan. Personal care and meals support daily needs while the person rebuilds strength.
Home care cannot guarantee that a patient will not return to the hospital. Our team records progress and reports changes to treating clinicians. Visits support recovery at home but do not replace emergency care or follow-up appointments.
Talk to a nurse about post-hospital care
Post-hospital care across the Denver metro
Post-hospital care is available in Aurora and surrounding Denver metro communities.
Frequently asked questions
How soon can care begin after I leave the hospital?
We can typically start care within 48 hours of receiving the official referral and physician orders.
Will I see the same nurse and therapist every time?
We try to provide consistent staffing so you can build a relationship with your care team.
Does someone need to be home with me during visits?
Yes, home care visits are designed to support you. A family member is encouraged to be present during the initial assessment.
Can you help if I am discharged on a weekend?
Yes, our office is open seven days a week, and we can process referrals and start care on weekends.
What if I don't have a follow-up appointment scheduled?
We can help you remember to schedule and prepare for your follow-up visits with your surgeon or doctor.
Is this the same as a nursing home?
No, post-hospital care allows you to receive professional support in your own home instead of a facility.
Related services
Ready to talk it through?
A free in-home assessment by a registered nurse. No obligation.
Last updated: October 2026