Albia, Iowa

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Albia, IA

Non-medical help at home in the days and weeks after surgery, a hospital stay or a fall, alongside any nursing or therapy a doctor orders. Post what you need in Albia for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Albia, IA: the local picture

0.5 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Albia)
6
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Albia ZIP codes in their service area
46%
of residents 65+ report a disability (38% in Monroe County)
812
residents 65 or older (22% of Albia)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Monroe County Hospital in Albia, about 0.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Mahaska Health Partnership (20 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 6 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Albia. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Albia compared with Monroe County and Iowa

Census figureAlbiaMonroe CountyIowa
Residents 65+ with a disability46%38%30%
Residents 65 or older22%21%18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone43%33%31%
Households with no vehicle8.4%5.6%5.4%
Residents 85 or older5.6%3.7%2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)25%14%8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$26,250$47,706—

Older residents in towns around Albia

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Ottumwa, IA20 mi4,10743%
Oskaloosa, IA20 mi2,34735%
Centerville, IA21 mi1,20538%
Knoxville, IA25 mi1,72044%
Chariton, IA26 mi84149%
Pella, IA27 mi2,01735%

Hospitals near Albia

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Monroe County HospitalAlbia, IA0.5 minot rated(641) 932-2134
Mahaska Health PartnershipOskaloosa, IA20 mi4 of 5(641) 672-3100
Ottumwa Regional Health CenterOttumwa, IA21 mi2 of 5(641) 682-7511
Mercyone Centerville Medical CenterCenterville, IA21 minot rated(641) 437-4111

Home health agencies serving Albia

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Elara CaringCenterville, IA21 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides(641) 437-1117
Elara CaringChariton, IA26 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(641) 774-2339
Iowa Home Care, L L COttumwa, IA21 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(641) 226-5050
Pella Regional Home Health AgencyPella, IA27 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(641) 628-6638
EverystepDes Moines, IA55 mi2.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(515) 558-9591
Sunny Brook Home CareFairfield, IA44 mi1.5 of 5nursing, home health aides(641) 472-4808

Straight-line miles from the center of Albia. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a post-surgery caregiver can help with

  • Help getting in and out of bed, chairs and the shower
  • Meals, fluids and medication reminders
  • Rides to follow-up and therapy appointments
  • Help with home exercises the therapist set
Cost

What post-surgery care costs in Albia

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 69% of the $2,188 monthly median income of Albia 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.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a post-surgery caregiver

Medicare covers home health care after surgery when a doctor orders it and the person is homebound: part-time skilled nursing and therapy from a Medicare-certified agency. It does not cover round-the-clock help, or personal care when that is the only care needed (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone after this kind of surgery? Are you comfortable with transfers, walkers and shower chairs? Can you start on the discharge date and cover the first nights? More in our post-surgery care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Post-Surgery Care in Albia: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Albia?

Monroe County Hospital in Albia, about 0.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Albia (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (641) 932-2134. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Albia?

Medicare lists 6 certified agencies whose service area includes Albia ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Iowa Home Care, L L C (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Albia?

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 69% of the $2,188 monthly median income of Albia 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).

How long do people usually need help after surgery?

It depends on the operation and the person. After a hip or knee replacement many people need daily help for a few weeks, and more at night in the first days. Ask the surgical team for an estimate and plan with some slack.

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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