Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Des Moines, IA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Des Moines for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Des Moines, IA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Des Moines are University Park Nursing And Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines (2.0 mi), Rehabilitation Center Of Des Moines in Des Moines (2.2 mi), Scottish Rite Park Inc in Des Moines (2.6 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Iowa earn a median $17.34 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Des Moines has about 3,313 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Des Moines compared with Polk County and Iowa
| Census figure | Des Moines | Polk County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 1.6% | 1.5% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 31% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 14% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 7.5% | 8.4% |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.0% | 5.8% | 5.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $48,181 | $59,099 | — |
Older residents in towns around Des Moines
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 5.7 mi | 2,222 | 146 |
| Windsor Heights, IA | 5.7 mi | 985 | 125 |
| Carlisle, IA | 7.1 mi | 523 | 135 |
| Saylorville, IA | 7.5 mi | 705 | 17 |
| Norwalk, IA | 7.6 mi | 2,002 | 380 |
| Altoona, IA | 8.6 mi | 3,684 | 311 |
Nursing homes near Des Moines
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Park Nursing And Rehabilitation Center | Des Moines, IA | 2.0 mi | 4 of 5 | 91 | (515) 284-1280 |
| Rehabilitation Center Of Des Moines | Des Moines, IA | 2.2 mi | 3 of 5 | 74 | (515) 266-1106 |
| Scottish Rite Park Inc | Des Moines, IA | 2.6 mi | 5 of 5 | 51 | (515) 274-4614 |
| Greater Southside Health And Rehabilitation | Des Moines, IA | 2.8 mi | 1 of 5 | 80 | (515) 285-3070 |
| Accura Healthcare Of South Des Moines | Des Moines, IA | 2.9 mi | 1 of 5 | 89 | (515) 285-2559 |
| Wesley On Grand | Des Moines, IA | 2.9 mi | 4 of 5 | 80 | (515) 271-6500 |
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 |
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 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 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 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 Des Moines: common questions
What nursing homes are near Des Moines?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are University Park Nursing And Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines (2.0 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Rehabilitation Center Of Des Moines in Des Moines (2.2 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Scottish Rite Park Inc in Des Moines (2.6 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs 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).
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 Des Moines
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Pleasant Hill, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Windsor Heights, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Carlisle, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Saylorville, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Norwalk, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Altoona, IA
- Nursing Assistants in West Des Moines, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Urbandale, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Clive, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Johnston, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Ankeny, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Bondurant, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Grimes, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Waukee, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Mitchellville, IA
- Nursing Assistants 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
- Home Health Aides 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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