Post-Surgery Care in Algona, IA: Help at Home After Surgery

Local figures

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

0.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Algona)

2

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Algona ZIP codes in their service area

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Kossuth County)

1,383

residents 65 or older (26% of Algona)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona, about 0.7 mi away in a straight line, followed by Palo Alto County Hospital (23 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 2 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Algona. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Algona compared with Kossuth County and Iowa

Census figure	Algona	Kossuth County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	30%	30%
Residents 65 or older	26%	25%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	35%	31%
Households with no vehicle	11%	6.1%	5.4%
Residents 85 or older	6.4%	4.3%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.2%	7.1%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,750	$48,391	—

Older residents in towns around Algona

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Emmetsburg, IA	23 mi	934	38%
Humboldt, IA	24 mi	1,089	27%
Garner, IA	32 mi	916	34%
Forest City, IA	32 mi	756	34%
Eagle Grove, IA	33 mi	653	49%
Clarion, IA	35 mi	539	43%

Hospitals near Algona

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Kossuth Regional Health Center	Algona, IA	0.7 mi	1 of 5	(515) 295-2451
Palo Alto County Hospital	Emmetsburg, IA	23 mi	not rated	(712) 852-5500
Hancock County Health System	Britt, IA	23 mi	not rated	(641) 843-5000
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital	Humboldt, IA	25 mi	not rated	(515) 332-4200

Home health agencies serving Algona

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Iowa Home Care, L L C	Webster City, IA	47 mi	2.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 576-2273
Community Health Services	Algona, IA	0.7 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 295-4430

Straight-line miles from the center of Algona. 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 Algona

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 $3,646 monthly median income of Algona 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 Algona: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Algona?

Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona, about 0.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Algona (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (515) 295-2451. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Algona?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Algona ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Iowa Home Care, L L C (2.5 of 5), Community Health Services (1.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Algona?

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 $3,646 monthly median income of Algona 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.

More near Algona

More senior care near Algona

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Algona

More for Algona families

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.

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Algona, IA