Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Albert Lea, MN
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Albert Lea for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Albert Lea, MN: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Albert Lea are Thorne Crest Retirement Center in Albert Lea (0.6 mi), St Johns On Fountain Lake in Albert Lea (1.8 mi), Good Samaritan Society - Albert Lea in Albert Lea (3.3 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Minnesota earn a median $18.45 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Albert Lea has about 967 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Albert Lea compared with Freeborn County and Minnesota
| Census figure | Albert Lea | Freeborn County | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 5.3% | 3.8% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 30% | 29% | 28% |
| Residents 65 or older | 25% | 23% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 36% | 31% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.5% | 6.8% | 8.8% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.8% | 5.8% | 6.7% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $42,241 | $49,381 | — |
Older residents in towns around Albert Lea
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, MN | 19 mi | 4,489 | 697 |
| Waseca, MN | 30 mi | 1,516 | 255 |
| Forest City, IA | 31 mi | 756 | 102 |
| Owatonna, MN | 31 mi | 5,174 | 770 |
| Clear Lake, IA | 36 mi | 2,089 | 284 |
| Mason City, IA | 36 mi | 6,215 | 830 |
Nursing homes near Albert Lea
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thorne Crest Retirement Center | Albert Lea, MN | 0.6 mi | 1 of 5 | 52 | (507) 205-9004 |
| St Johns On Fountain Lake | Albert Lea, MN | 1.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 84 | (507) 373-2040 |
| Good Samaritan Society - Albert Lea | Albert Lea, MN | 3.3 mi | 4 of 5 | 80 | (507) 379-2701 |
| Lutheran Retirement Home | Northwood, IA | 16 mi | 3 of 5 | 42 | (641) 324-1712 |
| New Richland Care Center | New Richland, MN | 18 mi | 1 of 5 | 45 | (507) 465-3292 |
| Lake Mills Care Center | Lake Mills, IA | 18 mi | 4 of 5 | 61 | (641) 592-4900 |
Home health agencies serving Albert Lea
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Samaritan Society - Home Care | Preston, MN | 63 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (507) 765-2700 |
| Aveanna Home Health | Rochester, MN | 51 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (507) 282-2246 |
| Home Health Care Inc | Golden Valley, MN | 93 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (763) 417-8888 |
| Adara Home Health Inc | Buffalo, MN | 108 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (763) 682-3005 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Albert Lea. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Albert Lea
At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,520 monthly median income of Albert Lea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Albert Lea: common questions
What nursing homes are near Albert Lea?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Thorne Crest Retirement Center in Albert Lea (0.6 mi, 1 of 5 overall); St Johns On Fountain Lake in Albert Lea (1.8 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Good Samaritan Society - Albert Lea in Albert Lea (3.3 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Albert Lea?
At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,520 monthly median income of Albert Lea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Albert Lea
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Austin, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Waseca, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Forest City, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Owatonna, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Clear Lake, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Mason City, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Dodge Center, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Blue Earth, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Osage, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Garner, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Kasson, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Eagle Lake, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Byron, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Faribault, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Stewartville, MN
- Nursing Assistants in Mankato, MN
Other care in Albert Lea
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 CNAs in Albert Lea
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