Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Cedar Falls, 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 Cedar Falls for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Cedar Falls, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Sartori Memorial Hospital, Inc in Cedar Falls, about 0.4 mi away in a straight line, followed by Allen Hospital (6.5 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 7 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Cedar Falls. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Cedar Falls compared with Black Hawk County and Iowa
| Census figure | Cedar Falls | Black Hawk County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 28% | 30% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 16% | 18% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 31% | 32% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.5% | 2.0% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 3.0% | 7.6% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $71,904 | $57,493 | — |
Older residents in towns around Cedar Falls
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo, IA | 5.5 mi | 11,387 | 33% |
| Hudson, IA | 5.8 mi | 467 | 29% |
| Evansdale, IA | 10 mi | 998 | 29% |
| Waverly, IA | 14 mi | 1,954 | 28% |
| Grundy Center, IA | 20 mi | 629 | 32% |
| Jesup, IA | 20 mi | 368 | 31% |
Hospitals near Cedar Falls
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sartori Memorial Hospital, Inc | Cedar Falls, IA | 0.4 mi | not rated | (319) 268-3000 |
| Allen Hospital | Waterloo, IA | 6.5 mi | 3 of 5 | (319) 235-3941 |
| Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center | Waterloo, IA | 6.8 mi | 4 of 5 | (319) 272-8000 |
| Waverly Health Center | Waverly, IA | 18 mi | 5 of 5 | (319) 352-4120 |
Home health agencies serving Cedar Falls
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Hiawatha, IA | 52 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 393-4742 |
| Mercyone Des Moines Home Care | Des Moines, IA | 88 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 643-8383 |
| Mercyone Waterloo Home Health Care | Waterloo, IA | 6.8 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 272-5050 |
| Unitypoint At Home | Waterloo, IA | 6.5 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 235-3702 |
| Home Health With Heart LLC | Cedar Rapids, IA | 53 mi | not rated | — | (319) 826-6608 |
| Comfort Care Medicare Inc | Cedar Rapids, IA | 53 mi | not rated | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (319) 294-3527 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Cedar Falls. 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 Cedar Falls
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 $5,992 monthly median income of Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Cedar Falls?
Sartori Memorial Hospital, Inc in Cedar Falls, about 0.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Cedar Falls (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (319) 268-3000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Cedar Falls?
Medicare lists 7 certified agencies whose service area includes Cedar Falls ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Mercyone Des Moines Home Care (4 of 5), Mercyone Waterloo Home Health Care (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Cedar Falls?
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 $5,992 monthly median income of Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Waterloo, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Hudson, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Evansdale, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Waverly, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Grundy Center, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Jesup, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Independence, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Oelwein, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Vinton, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Eldora, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in New Hampton, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Tama, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Charles City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Marshalltown, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Hampton, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Iowa Falls, IA
Other care in Cedar Falls
- Companion Care in Cedar Falls
- Dementia Care in Cedar Falls
- Respite Care in Cedar Falls
- Live-In Caregivers in Cedar Falls
- Senior Transportation in Cedar Falls
- Home Health Aides in Cedar Falls
- Nursing Assistants in Cedar Falls
- Personal Care in Cedar Falls
- Overnight Caregivers in Cedar Falls
- 24-Hour Home Care in Cedar Falls
- Mobility Assistance in Cedar Falls
- Parkinson’s Care in Cedar Falls
- Stroke Recovery Support in Cedar Falls
- Disability Care for Adults in Cedar Falls
- Hospice Support in Cedar Falls
- Senior Meal Preparation in Cedar Falls
- Senior Housekeeping in Cedar Falls
- Medication Reminders in Cedar Falls
- Veterans’ Home Care in Cedar Falls
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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