Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Chariton, 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 Chariton for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Chariton, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Lucas County Health Center in Chariton, about 0.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Wayne County Hospital (17 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 5 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Chariton. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Chariton compared with Lucas County and Iowa
| Census figure | Chariton | Lucas County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 49% | 41% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 20% | 22% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 47% | 36% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 12% | 7.7% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 5.8% | 3.8% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 18% | 19% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $30,039 | $36,847 | — |
Older residents in towns around Chariton
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, IA | 23 mi | 1,720 | 44% |
| Osceola, IA | 25 mi | 1,025 | 50% |
| Albia, IA | 26 mi | 812 | 46% |
| Indianola, IA | 27 mi | 2,906 | 29% |
| Centerville, IA | 30 mi | 1,205 | 38% |
| Pella, IA | 34 mi | 2,017 | 35% |
Hospitals near Chariton
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas County Health Center | Chariton, IA | 0.5 mi | not rated | (641) 774-3000 |
| Wayne County Hospital | Corydon, IA | 17 mi | not rated | (641) 872-2260 |
| Knoxville Hospital & Clinics | Knoxville, IA | 24 mi | 2 of 5 | (641) 842-2151 |
| Clarke County Hospital | Osceola, IA | 24 mi | 5 of 5 | (641) 342-2184 |
Home health agencies serving Chariton
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elara Caring | Chariton, IA | 0.5 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (641) 774-2339 |
| Angels Care Home Health Of Iowa | Des Moines, IA | 46 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 252-2847 |
| Unitypoint At Home | Urbandale, IA | 47 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 557-3100 |
| Iowa Home Care, L L C | West Des Moines, IA | 46 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 222-9995 |
| Everystep | Des Moines, IA | 43 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 558-9591 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Chariton. 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 Chariton
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 60% of the $2,503 monthly median income of Chariton 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 Chariton: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Chariton?
Lucas County Health Center in Chariton, about 0.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Chariton (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (641) 774-3000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Chariton?
Medicare lists 5 certified agencies whose service area includes Chariton ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Angels Care Home Health Of Iowa (3.5 of 5), Unitypoint At Home (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Chariton?
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 60% of the $2,503 monthly median income of Chariton 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 Chariton
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Knoxville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Osceola, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Albia, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Indianola, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Centerville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Pella, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Carlisle, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Norwalk, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Oskaloosa, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Des Moines, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Pleasant Hill, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Winterset, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in West Des Moines, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Altoona, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Mitchellville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Windsor Heights, IA
Other care in Chariton
- Companion Care in Chariton
- Dementia Care in Chariton
- Respite Care in Chariton
- Live-In Caregivers in Chariton
- Senior Transportation in Chariton
- Home Health Aides in Chariton
- Nursing Assistants in Chariton
- Personal Care in Chariton
- Overnight Caregivers in Chariton
- 24-Hour Home Care in Chariton
- Mobility Assistance in Chariton
- Parkinson’s Care in Chariton
- Stroke Recovery Support in Chariton
- Disability Care for Adults in Chariton
- Hospice Support in Chariton
- Senior Meal Preparation in Chariton
- Senior Housekeeping in Chariton
- Medication Reminders in Chariton
- Veterans’ Home Care in Chariton
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.
Find post-surgery care in Chariton
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Chariton can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
