Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in West 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 West Des Moines for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in West Des Moines, IA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to West Des Moines are Harmony West Des Moines in West Des Moines (0.9 mi), Cedar Ridge Village in West Des Moines (2.5 mi), Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community in West 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).
West Des Moines has about 1,394 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
West Des Moines compared with Polk County and Iowa
| Census figure | West Des Moines | Polk County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 2.0% | 1.5% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 28% | 31% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 14% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 31% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 5.7% | 7.5% | 8.4% |
| 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+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clive, IA | 4.5 mi | 3,026 | 433 |
| Windsor Heights, IA | 5.2 mi | 985 | 125 |
| Waukee, IA | 5.9 mi | 3,250 | 370 |
| Urbandale, IA | 6.0 mi | 6,881 | 874 |
| Norwalk, IA | 6.4 mi | 2,002 | 380 |
| Grimes, IA | 8.9 mi | 1,199 | 99 |
Nursing homes near West Des Moines
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmony West Des Moines | West Des Moines, IA | 0.9 mi | 1 of 5 | 113 | (515) 222-5991 |
| Cedar Ridge Village | West Des Moines, IA | 2.5 mi | 3 of 5 | 40 | (515) 369-2100 |
| Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community | West Des Moines, IA | 2.6 mi | 4 of 5 | 40 | (515) 978-2400 |
| Arbor Springs Of West Des Moines L L C | West Des Moines, IA | 2.7 mi | 1 of 5 | 56 | (515) 223-1135 |
| Walnut Ridge | Clive, IA | 4.0 mi | 5 of 5 | 60 | (515) 222-4000 |
| Pine Acres Rehabilitation And Care Center | West Des Moines, IA | 4.2 mi | not rated | 140 | (515) 223-1223 |
Home health agencies serving West Des Moines
| 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 |
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 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 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.
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 Des Moines: common questions
What nursing homes are near West Des Moines?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Harmony West Des Moines in West Des Moines (0.9 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Cedar Ridge Village in West Des Moines (2.5 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community in West Des Moines (2.6 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs 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).
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 Des Moines
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Clive, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Windsor Heights, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Waukee, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Urbandale, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Norwalk, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Grimes, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Des Moines, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Johnston, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Saylorville, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Adel, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Pleasant Hill, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Carlisle, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Ankeny, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Polk City, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Altoona, IA
- Nursing Assistants in Indianola, IA
Other care in West Des Moines
- Companion Care in West Des Moines
- Dementia Care in West Des Moines
- Respite Care in West Des Moines
- Live-In Caregivers in West Des Moines
- Post-Surgery Care in West Des Moines
- Senior Transportation in West Des Moines
- Home Health Aides in West Des Moines
- Personal Care in West Des Moines
- Overnight Caregivers in West Des Moines
- 24-Hour Home Care in West Des Moines
- Mobility Assistance in West Des Moines
- Parkinson’s Care in West Des Moines
- Stroke Recovery Support in West Des Moines
- Disability Care for Adults in West Des Moines
- Hospice Support in West Des Moines
- Senior Meal Preparation in West Des Moines
- Senior Housekeeping in West Des Moines
- Medication Reminders in West Des Moines
- Veterans’ Home Care in West 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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