Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Fort Dodge, IA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Fort Dodge for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Fort Dodge, IA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Fort Dodge are Marian Home in Fort Dodge (0.5 mi), Fort Dodge Health And Rehabilitation in Fort Dodge (1.1 mi), Friendship Haven, Inc in Fort Dodge (3.5 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).
Fort Dodge has about 723 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Fort Dodge compared with Webster County and Iowa
| Census figure | Fort Dodge | Webster County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 2.9% | 2.8% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 28% | 28% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 19% | 20% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 45% | 40% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 9.6% | 8.4% |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.6% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $43,944 | $44,701 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fort Dodge
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt, IA | 15 mi | 1,089 | 235 |
| Eagle Grove, IA | 18 mi | 653 | 99 |
| Webster City, IA | 19 mi | 1,463 | 451 |
| Clarion, IA | 27 mi | 539 | 146 |
| Boone, IA | 35 mi | 2,272 | 257 |
| Jefferson, IA | 36 mi | 1,307 | 231 |
Nursing homes near Fort Dodge
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marian Home | Fort Dodge, IA | 0.5 mi | 5 of 5 | 90 | (515) 576-1138 |
| Fort Dodge Health And Rehabilitation | Fort Dodge, IA | 1.1 mi | 1 of 5 | 65 | (515) 576-7226 |
| Friendship Haven, Inc | Fort Dodge, IA | 3.5 mi | 4 of 5 | 155 | (515) 573-2121 |
| Humboldt County Memorial Hospital | Humboldt, IA | 16 mi | 5 of 5 | 28 | (515) 332-4200 |
| Grandview Health Care Center | Dayton, IA | 18 mi | 2 of 5 | 40 | (515) 547-2288 |
| Rotary Senior Living | Eagle Grove, IA | 18 mi | 3 of 5 | 46 | (515) 448-5124 |
Home health agencies serving Fort Dodge
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unitypoint At Home | Fort Dodge, IA | 0.3 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 574-6416 |
| Mercyone Des Moines Home Care | Des Moines, IA | 70 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 643-8383 |
| Freedom In Home Services, LLC | Omaha, NE | 128 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (402) 934-2224 |
| Iowa Home Care, L L C | Webster City, IA | 18 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 576-2273 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Dodge. 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 Fort Dodge
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 41% of the $3,662 monthly median income of Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge: common questions
What nursing homes are near Fort Dodge?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Marian Home in Fort Dodge (0.5 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Fort Dodge Health And Rehabilitation in Fort Dodge (1.1 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Friendship Haven, Inc in Fort Dodge (3.5 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Fort Dodge?
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 41% of the $3,662 monthly median income of Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Humboldt, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Eagle Grove, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Webster City, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Clarion, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Boone, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Jefferson, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Belmond, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Story City, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Algona, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Ames, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Iowa Falls, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Carroll, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Perry, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Madrid, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Emmetsburg, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Nevada, IA
Other care in Fort Dodge
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 Fort Dodge
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