Mobility Assistance in West Des Moines, IA

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in West Des Moines, IA: the local picture

16%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (18% in Polk County)

1,394

residents 85 or older (2.0% of all residents)

7.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Des Moines)

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Polk County)

About 1,662 West Des Moines residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (16%; 18% in Polk County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

1,394 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving West Des Moines that list physical therapy include Aveanna Healthcare and Centerwell Home Health; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

West Des Moines compared with Polk County and Iowa

Census figure	West Des Moines	Polk County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	16%	18%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	1.5%	2.3%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.2%	5.5%	5.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	31%	32%	31%
Households with no vehicle	3.9%	5.8%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$67,044	$59,099	—

Older residents in towns around West Des Moines

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Clive, IA	4.5 mi	3,026	14%
Windsor Heights, IA	5.2 mi	985	18%
Waukee, IA	5.9 mi	3,250	14%
Urbandale, IA	6.0 mi	6,881	11%
Norwalk, IA	6.4 mi	2,002	21%
Grimes, IA	8.9 mi	1,199	19%

Home health agencies serving West Des Moines (therapy needs a doctor’s order)

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Aveanna Healthcare	West Des Moines, IA	1.6 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(515) 497-7700
Centerwell Home Health	Urbandale, IA	6.3 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(515) 277-0977
Good Samaritan Society-Home Care	Indianola, IA	19 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(515) 961-2596
Elara Caring	Chariton, IA	44 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	8.7 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 643-8383
Faith Home Health Care	West Des Moines, IA	2.8 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(319) 330-1755

Emergency hospitals near West Des Moines

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Va Central Iowa Healthcare System	Des Moines, IA	7.6 mi	4 of 5	(515) 699-5999
Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center	Des Moines, IA	8.5 mi	1 of 5	(515) 247-4436

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

What it covers

What a caregiver for mobility help can help with

Steadying walks inside and outside the home
Transfers: bed, chair, toilet, shower and car
Help with walkers, canes and wheelchairs
The home exercises a physical therapist set

Cost

What mobility assistance costs in West 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 27% of the $5,587 monthly median income of West 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.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for mobility help

Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, and over 14 million, or 1 in 4, older adults report falling every year (CDC).

Questions worth asking: Which transfers are you trained to do safely? Have you used a gait belt, walker or wheelchair with clients? What would you do if my parent started to fall? More in our mobility assistance guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Mobility Assistance in West Des Moines: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in West 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 27% of the $5,587 monthly median income of West 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 caregiver do to help with mobility?

Walks beside the person, helps them stand and sit, transfers them to bed, chair, toilet, shower or car, and keeps walkways clear. They do not replace a physical therapist.

More near West Des Moines

More senior care near West Des Moines

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in West Des Moines

More for West Des Moines 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.

Mobility Assistance at Home in West Des Moines, IA