Home Health Aides in Oskaloosa, IA: Hire In-Home Help

Local figures

Home Health Aides in Oskaloosa, IA: the local picture

8

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Oskaloosa ZIP codes in their service area

$17.34

median hourly wage of home care aides in Iowa (BLS, May 2025)

2,347

residents 65 or older (20% of Oskaloosa)

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Mahaska County)

8 Medicare-certified home health agencies list Oskaloosa ZIP codes in their service area; the highest-rated are below, and 7 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.

Oskaloosa has about 2,347 residents aged 65 or older, 35% of whom report a disability.

Oskaloosa compared with Mahaska County and Iowa

Census figure	Oskaloosa	Mahaska County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	34%	30%
Residents 65 or older	20%	19%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	2.0%	2.3%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	26%	31%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.0%	6.5%	8.4%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	4.7%	3.5%	9.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,023	$50,470	—

Older residents in towns around Oskaloosa

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Pella, IA	16 mi	2,017	35%
Albia, IA	20 mi	812	46%
Ottumwa, IA	22 mi	4,107	43%
Knoxville, IA	24 mi	1,720	44%
Grinnell, IA	31 mi	2,034	34%
Newton, IA	35 mi	3,381	31%

Medicare-certified home health agencies serving Oskaloosa

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Elara Caring	Chariton, IA	39 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(641) 774-2339
Elara Caring	Centerville, IA	41 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(641) 437-1117
Iowa Home Care, L L C	Ottumwa, IA	22 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(641) 226-5050
Pella Regional Home Health Agency	Pella, IA	16 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(641) 628-6638
Unitypoint At Home	Urbandale, IA	61 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 557-3100
Iowa Home Care, L L C	West Des Moines, IA	63 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 222-9995
Sunny Brook Home Care	Fairfield, IA	41 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, home health aides	(641) 472-4808
Heartland Home Care	Oskaloosa, IA	0.2 mi	not rated	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy	(641) 672-2944

Straight-line miles from the center of Oskaloosa. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a home health aide can help with

Bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting
Transfers, walking and positioning
Meals and help with eating
Medication reminders

Cost

What home health aides costs in Oskaloosa

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 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa 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.

Before you hire

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.

Questions

Home Health Aides in Oskaloosa: common questions

Which home health agencies serve Oskaloosa?

Medicare lists 8 certified agencies whose service area includes Oskaloosa ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Iowa Home Care, L L C (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does home health aides cost in Oskaloosa?

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 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa 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 near Oskaloosa

More senior care near Oskaloosa

Home Health Aides in nearby cities

Other care in Oskaloosa

More for Oskaloosa 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.

Home Health Aides in Oskaloosa, IA