Home Health Aides in Des Moines, IA
Trained help with personal care, mobility and daily routines at home, hired privately or through a Medicare-certified agency. Post what you need in Des Moines for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Home Health Aides in Des Moines, IA: the local picture
24 Medicare-certified home health agencies list Des Moines ZIP codes in their service area; the highest-rated are below, and 8 of those list home health aide services. Agency aides are usually part of care a doctor orders. For help beyond those visits, families hire an aide directly.
Home health and personal care aides in Iowa earn a median $17.34 an hour (BLS, May 2025), with the middle half between $16.14 and $19.05.
Des Moines has about 27,045 residents aged 65 or older, 36% of whom report a disability.
Des Moines compared with Polk County and Iowa
| Census figure | Des Moines | Polk County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 31% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 14% | 18% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.6% | 1.5% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 7.5% | 8.4% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 22% | 15% | 9.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $48,181 | $59,099 | — |
Older residents in towns around Des Moines
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 5.7 mi | 2,222 | 26% |
| Windsor Heights, IA | 5.7 mi | 985 | 35% |
| Carlisle, IA | 7.1 mi | 523 | 36% |
| Saylorville, IA | 7.5 mi | 705 | 47% |
| Norwalk, IA | 7.6 mi | 2,002 | 35% |
| Altoona, IA | 8.6 mi | 3,684 | 32% |
Medicare-certified home health agencies serving Des Moines
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Urbandale, IA | 7.0 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (515) 277-0977 |
| Aveanna Healthcare | West Des Moines, IA | 9.8 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (515) 497-7700 |
| Good Samaritan Society-Home Care | Indianola, IA | 18 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (515) 961-2596 |
| Elara Caring | Chariton, IA | 41 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (641) 774-2339 |
| Mercyone Des Moines Home Care | Des Moines, IA | 1.2 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 643-8383 |
| St Anthony Regional Hospital And Nursing Home | Carroll, IA | 73 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (712) 794-5279 |
| Angels Care Home Health Of Iowa | Des Moines, IA | 4.9 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 252-2847 |
| Faith Home Health Care | West Des Moines, IA | 7.0 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (319) 330-1755 |
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 home health aide can help with
- Bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting
- Transfers, walking and positioning
- Meals and help with eating
- Medication reminders
What home health aides 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 home health aide
Federal rules require home health aides who work for Medicare-certified agencies to complete at least 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, or pass a competency evaluation (42 CFR 484.80). Many states add their own requirements.
Questions worth asking: Where did you train, and can I see the certificate? Have you worked for a home health agency? Which transfers and equipment are you trained on? More in our home health aides guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Home Health Aides in Des Moines: common questions
Which home health agencies serve Des Moines?
Medicare lists 24 certified agencies whose service area includes Des Moines ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Aveanna Healthcare (5 of 5), Good Samaritan Society-Home Care (5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does home health aides 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 is the difference between a home health aide and a CNA?
Both are trained in personal care. A certified nursing assistant (CNA) has passed a state exam and is on the state nurse aide registry, and often works in nursing homes and hospitals. A home health aide is trained for care in the home. Neither does skilled nursing.
More senior care near Des Moines
Home Health Aides in nearby cities
- Home Health Aides in Pleasant Hill, IA
- Home Health Aides in Windsor Heights, IA
- Home Health Aides in Carlisle, IA
- Home Health Aides in Saylorville, IA
- Home Health Aides in Norwalk, IA
- Home Health Aides in Altoona, IA
- Home Health Aides in West Des Moines, IA
- Home Health Aides in Urbandale, IA
- Home Health Aides in Clive, IA
- Home Health Aides in Johnston, IA
- Home Health Aides in Ankeny, IA
- Home Health Aides in Bondurant, IA
- Home Health Aides in Grimes, IA
- Home Health Aides in Waukee, IA
- Home Health Aides in Mitchellville, IA
- Home Health Aides in Indianola, IA
Other care in Des Moines
- Companion 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
- 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.
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