Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in West Branch, IA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in West Branch for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in West Branch, IA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to West Branch are Crestview Specialty Care in West Branch (0.7 mi), Iowa City Rehab & Health Care in Iowa City (7.1 mi), Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty (7.5 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).
West Branch has about 85 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
West Branch compared with Cedar County and Iowa
| Census figure | West Branch | Cedar County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 26% | 26% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 21% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 29% | 25% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 9.5% | 4.6% | 8.4% |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.9% | 2.6% | 5.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $53,056 | $58,710 | — |
Older residents in towns around West Branch
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Liberty, IA | 7.7 mi | 450 | 48 |
| Iowa City, IA | 9.7 mi | 9,354 | 1,347 |
| Solon, IA | 13 mi | 469 | 95 |
| Coralville, IA | 13 mi | 3,097 | 510 |
| Tipton, IA | 13 mi | 626 | 147 |
| North Liberty, IA | 15 mi | 1,513 | 145 |
Nursing homes near West Branch
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestview Specialty Care | West Branch, IA | 0.7 mi | 1 of 5 | 65 | (319) 333-7182 |
| Iowa City Rehab & Health Care | Iowa City, IA | 7.1 mi | 1 of 5 | 89 | (319) 351-7460 |
| Simpson Memorial Home | West Liberty, IA | 7.5 mi | 3 of 5 | 55 | (319) 627-4775 |
| Briarwood Healthcare Center | Iowa City, IA | 11 mi | 5 of 5 | 62 | (319) 338-7912 |
| Oaknoll Retirement Residence | Iowa City, IA | 11 mi | 5 of 5 | 70 | (319) 351-1720 |
| Solon Nursing Care Center | Solon, IA | 12 mi | 5 of 5 | 96 | (319) 624-3492 |
Home health agencies serving West Branch
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Hiawatha, IA | 31 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 393-4742 |
| University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown Home Health | Coralville, IA | 13 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 358-2740 |
| Unitypoint At Home | Cedar Rapids, IA | 29 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | — |
| Johnson County Visiting Nurse Association | Iowa City, IA | 8.4 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 337-9686 |
Straight-line miles from the center of West Branch. 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 West Branch
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 34% of the $4,421 monthly median income of West Branch 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 West Branch: common questions
What nursing homes are near West Branch?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Crestview Specialty Care in West Branch (0.7 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Iowa City Rehab & Health Care in Iowa City (7.1 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty (7.5 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in West Branch?
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 34% of the $4,421 monthly median income of West Branch 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 West Branch
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in West Liberty, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Iowa City, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Solon, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Coralville, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Tipton, IA
- Nursing Assistants in North Liberty, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Tiffin, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Wilton, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Mount Vernon, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Kalona, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Muscatine, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Fairfax, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Marion, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Anamosa, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Washington, IA
Other care in West Branch
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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