Post-Surgery Home Care in Clear Lake, IA

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Clear Lake, IA: the local picture

9.0 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Mason City)

2

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

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Cerro Gordo County)

2,089

residents 65 or older (27% of Clear Lake)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mercyone North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, about 9.0 mi away in a straight line, followed by Hancock County Health System (20 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 Clear Lake. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Clear Lake compared with Cerro Gordo County and Iowa

Census figure	Clear Lake	Cerro Gordo County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	27%	24%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	22%	28%	31%
Households with no vehicle	6.4%	5.0%	5.4%
Residents 85 or older	3.7%	3.1%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.0%	7.3%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$53,750	$50,066	—

Older residents in towns around Clear Lake

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Mason City, IA	8.8 mi	6,215	31%
Garner, IA	12 mi	916	34%
Forest City, IA	16 mi	756	34%
Belmond, IA	23 mi	727	27%
Hampton, IA	28 mi	981	23%
Osage, IA	30 mi	897	30%

Hospitals near Clear Lake

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mercyone North Iowa Medical Center	Mason City, IA	9.0 mi	2 of 5	(641) 428-7000
Hancock County Health System	Britt, IA	20 mi	not rated	(641) 843-5000
Iowa Specialty Hospital - Belmond	Belmond, IA	23 mi	not rated	(641) 444-3223
Franklin General Hospital	Hampton, IA	29 mi	not rated	(641) 456-5000

Home health agencies serving Clear Lake

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Mercyone Des Moines Home Care	Des Moines, IA	108 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 643-8383
Cerro Gordo County Department Of Public Health	Mason City, IA	9.0 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(641) 421-9300

Straight-line miles from the center of Clear Lake. 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 Clear Lake

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 34% of the $4,479 monthly median income of Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Clear Lake?

Mercyone North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, about 9.0 mi in a straight line from the center of Clear Lake (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (641) 428-7000. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Clear Lake?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Clear Lake ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Mercyone Des Moines Home Care (4 of 5), Cerro Gordo County Department Of Public Health (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Clear Lake?

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 34% of the $4,479 monthly median income of Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake

More senior care near Clear Lake

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Clear Lake

More for Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake, IA