Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Cresco, 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 Cresco for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Cresco, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Regional Health Services Of Howard County in Cresco, about 0.8 mi away in a straight line, followed by Winnmed (17 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 3 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Cresco. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Cresco compared with Howard County and Iowa
| Census figure | Cresco | Howard County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 21% | 22% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 20% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 22% | 24% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.2% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.5% | 2.7% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.7% | 7.2% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $48,000 | $49,200 | — |
Older residents in towns around Cresco
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decorah, IA | 17 mi | 1,807 | 22% |
| New Hampton, IA | 24 mi | 695 | 35% |
| Chatfield, MN | 33 mi | 453 | 35% |
| Waukon, IA | 33 mi | 1,054 | 35% |
| Postville, IA | 34 mi | 310 | 25% |
| Charles City, IA | 35 mi | 1,702 | 44% |
Hospitals near Cresco
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Health Services Of Howard County | Cresco, IA | 0.8 mi | 4 of 5 | (563) 547-2101 |
| Winnmed | Decorah, IA | 17 mi | 4 of 5 | (563) 382-2911 |
| Mercy Medical Center-New Hampton | New Hampton, IA | 24 mi | not rated | (641) 394-4121 |
| Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital And Clinics | West Union, IA | 33 mi | 5 of 5 | (563) 422-3811 |
Home health agencies serving Cresco
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Health Services | Cresco, IA | 0.8 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (563) 547-2989 |
| Winnmed Home Health | Decorah, IA | 17 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (563) 387-3024 |
| Unitypoint At Home | Waterloo, IA | 60 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 235-3702 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Cresco. 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 Cresco
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 38% of the $4,000 monthly median income of Cresco 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 Cresco: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Cresco?
Regional Health Services Of Howard County in Cresco, about 0.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Cresco (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (563) 547-2101. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Cresco?
Medicare lists 3 certified agencies whose service area includes Cresco ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Community Health Services (3 of 5), Winnmed Home Health (3 of 5), Unitypoint At Home (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Cresco?
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 38% of the $4,000 monthly median income of Cresco 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 Cresco
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Decorah, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in New Hampton, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Chatfield, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Waukon, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Postville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Charles City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Osage, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Caledonia, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Stewartville, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in St. Charles, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Austin, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Rochester, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Waverly, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Oelwein, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in La Crescent, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Winona, MN
Other care in Cresco
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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