Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Ames, 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 Ames for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Ames, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, about 1.3 mi away in a straight line, followed by Story County Hospital (9.0 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 16 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Ames. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Ames compared with Story County and Iowa
| Census figure | Ames | Story County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 27% | 26% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 11% | 13% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 31% | 30% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.2% | 5.8% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.5% | 1.7% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 6.5% | 5.6% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $71,689 | $69,964 | — |
Older residents in towns around Ames
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada, IA | 7.8 mi | 1,242 | 29% |
| Huxley, IA | 9.1 mi | 525 | 32% |
| Story City, IA | 11 mi | 722 | 26% |
| Boone, IA | 13 mi | 2,272 | 35% |
| Madrid, IA | 15 mi | 566 | 41% |
| Polk City, IA | 18 mi | 874 | 24% |
Hospitals near Ames
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Greeley Medical Center | Ames, IA | 1.3 mi | 4 of 5 | (515) 239-2011 |
| Story County Hospital | Nevada, IA | 9.0 mi | not rated | (515) 382-2111 |
| Boone County Hospital | Boone, IA | 14 mi | not rated | (515) 432-3140 |
| Va Central Iowa Healthcare System | Des Moines, IA | 28 mi | 4 of 5 | (515) 699-5999 |
Home health agencies serving Ames
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Urbandale, IA | 28 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (515) 277-0977 |
| Aveanna Healthcare | West Des Moines, IA | 33 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (515) 497-7700 |
| Mercyone Des Moines Home Care | Des Moines, IA | 30 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 643-8383 |
| St Anthony Regional Hospital And Nursing Home | Carroll, IA | 64 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (712) 794-5279 |
| Aspire Home Healthcare, LLC | Morton Grove, IL | 299 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (312) 788-8014 |
| Mary Greeley Home Health Services | Ames, IA | 1.3 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 239-6730 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Ames. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What post-surgery care costs in Ames
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 25% of the $5,974 monthly median income of Ames 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 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.
Post-Surgery Care in Ames: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Ames?
Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, about 1.3 mi in a straight line from the center of Ames (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (515) 239-2011. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Ames?
Medicare lists 16 certified agencies whose service area includes Ames ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Aveanna Healthcare (5 of 5), Mercyone Des Moines Home Care (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Ames?
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 25% of the $5,974 monthly median income of Ames 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 senior care near Ames
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Nevada, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Huxley, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Story City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Boone, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Madrid, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Polk City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Ankeny, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Johnston, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Saylorville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Bondurant, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Grimes, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Altoona, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Perry, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Mitchellville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Urbandale, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Windsor Heights, IA
Other care in Ames
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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