Companion Care for Seniors in Des Moines, IA
Conversation, outings, meals together and a steady, friendly presence for an older adult who lives alone or spends long days by themselves. Post what you need in Des Moines for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Companion Care in Des Moines, IA: the local picture
About 10,298 residents of Des Moines aged 65 or older live alone, 40% of older residents in households (32% in Polk County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.
9.0% of Des Moines households have no vehicle (5.8% in Polk County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.
Of the 27,045 Des Moines residents aged 65 or older, 3,313 are 85 or older (12%). Before the first visit with someone in that oldest group, ask the family about hearing, eyesight, walking and any memory changes, so the visit is planned around them.
13,326 Des Moines households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 4,903 rent. A companion visiting a house may also help with mail, light chores and keeping an eye on things; in an apartment building, ask whether visitors sign in.
About 2,941 older Des Moines residents (11%) live below the poverty line (7.5% in Polk County). For them, Medicaid home and community-based services or the local Area Agency on Aging may cover some companion or homemaker hours, depending on the state program; private pay is not the only route.
About 22% of Des Moines residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (22,907), other Asian and Pacific Island languages (6,657), other languages (4,361). If the person you care for is more at ease in one of these languages, say so in your posting; many caregivers list the languages they speak.
Des Moines compared with Polk County and Iowa
| Census figure | Des Moines | Polk County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 14% | 18% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 22% | 15% | 9.1% |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.0% | 5.8% | 5.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 7.5% | 8.4% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 31% | 30% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $48,181 | $59,099 | — |
Older residents in towns around Des Moines
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Live alone (65+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 5.7 mi | 2,222 | 26% |
| Windsor Heights, IA | 5.7 mi | 985 | 29% |
| Carlisle, IA | 7.1 mi | 523 | 25% |
| Saylorville, IA | 7.5 mi | 705 | 14% |
| Norwalk, IA | 7.6 mi | 2,002 | 33% |
| Altoona, IA | 8.6 mi | 3,684 | 32% |
Hospitals near Des Moines (for rides to appointments)
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi | Des Moines, IA | 1.2 mi | 3 of 5 | (515) 343-1000 |
| Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center | Des Moines, IA | 2.4 mi | 1 of 5 | (515) 247-4436 |
| Broadlawns Medical Center | Des Moines, IA | 2.4 mi | 3 of 5 | (515) 282-2200 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Des Moines. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a companion caregiver can help with
- Conversation, cards, puzzles and shared hobbies
- Walks and outings to the park, library or senior center
- Company at meals, and help preparing them
- Rides or escort to appointments, church and visits
What companion care costs in Des Moines
At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $4,015 monthly median income of Des Moines households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.
What to know before hiring a companion caregiver
Isolation is a health risk, not only a mood. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that nearly one in four Americans aged 65 and older living in the community is socially isolated, and linked isolation to higher risks of dementia, heart disease and early death (2020 report).
Questions worth asking: What do you enjoy doing with the people you care for? Are you comfortable driving, and is your car insured for passengers? How do you handle a client who does not want company at first? More in our companion care guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Companion Care in Des Moines: common questions
How many seniors live alone in Des Moines?
About 10,298 residents aged 65 or older, 40% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (32% in Polk County).
How much does companion care cost in Des Moines?
At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $4,015 monthly median income of Des Moines households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
What does a companion caregiver do in Des Moines?
A companion keeps an older adult company and helps around the visit: conversation, activities, walks, meals, errands, rides and reminders. It suits someone who is mostly independent but lonely, or a family that wants someone to check in on weekdays.
More senior care near Des Moines
Companion Care in nearby cities
- Companion Care in Pleasant Hill, IA
- Companion Care in Windsor Heights, IA
- Companion Care in Carlisle, IA
- Companion Care in Saylorville, IA
- Companion Care in Norwalk, IA
- Companion Care in Altoona, IA
- Companion Care in West Des Moines, IA
- Companion Care in Urbandale, IA
- Companion Care in Clive, IA
- Companion Care in Johnston, IA
- Companion Care in Ankeny, IA
- Companion Care in Bondurant, IA
- Companion Care in Grimes, IA
- Companion Care in Waukee, IA
- Companion Care in Mitchellville, IA
- Companion Care in Indianola, IA
Other care in Des Moines
- Dementia Care in Des Moines
- Respite Care in Des Moines
- Live-In Caregivers in Des Moines
- Post-Surgery Care in Des Moines
- Senior Transportation in Des Moines
- Home Health Aides in Des Moines
- Nursing Assistants in Des Moines
- Personal Care in Des Moines
- Overnight Caregivers in Des Moines
- 24-Hour Home Care in Des Moines
- Mobility Assistance in Des Moines
- Parkinson’s Care in Des Moines
- Stroke Recovery Support in Des Moines
- Disability Care for Adults in Des Moines
- Hospice Support in Des Moines
- Senior Meal Preparation in Des Moines
- Senior Housekeeping in Des Moines
- Medication Reminders in Des Moines
- Veterans’ Home Care in Des Moines
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.
Find companion care in Des Moines
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