Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Decorah, 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 Decorah for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Decorah, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Winnmed in Decorah, about 1.5 mi away in a straight line, followed by Veterans Memorial Hospital (16 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 4 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Decorah. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Decorah compared with Winneshiek County and Iowa
| Census figure | Decorah | Winneshiek County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 22% | 24% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 24% | 23% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 32% | 25% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.9% | 4.5% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 3.5% | 2.8% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 9.7% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $51,453 | $59,525 | — |
Older residents in towns around Decorah
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukon, IA | 16 mi | 1,054 | 35% |
| Cresco, IA | 17 mi | 828 | 21% |
| Postville, IA | 19 mi | 310 | 25% |
| Caledonia, MN | 27 mi | 618 | 29% |
| New Hampton, IA | 32 mi | 695 | 35% |
| Prairie du Chien, WI | 37 mi | 1,374 | 33% |
Hospitals near Decorah
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnmed | Decorah, IA | 1.5 mi | 4 of 5 | (563) 382-2911 |
| Veterans Memorial Hospital | Waukon, IA | 16 mi | not rated | (563) 568-3411 |
| Regional Health Services Of Howard County | Cresco, IA | 18 mi | 4 of 5 | (563) 547-2101 |
| Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital And Clinics | West Union, IA | 25 mi | 5 of 5 | (563) 422-3811 |
Home health agencies serving Decorah
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnmed Home Health | Decorah, IA | 1.5 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (563) 387-3024 |
| Community Health Services | Cresco, IA | 18 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (563) 547-2989 |
| V M H Comunity & Home Care | Waukon, IA | 16 mi | 2 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (563) 568-5660 |
| Universal Pediatrics | Dubuque, IA | 76 mi | not rated | nursing, home health aides | (563) 557-5762 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Decorah. 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 Decorah
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 35% of the $4,288 monthly median income of Decorah 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 Decorah: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Decorah?
Winnmed in Decorah, about 1.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Decorah (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (563) 382-2911. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Decorah?
Medicare lists 4 certified agencies whose service area includes Decorah ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Winnmed Home Health (3 of 5), Community Health Services (3 of 5), V M H Comunity & Home Care (2 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Decorah?
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 35% of the $4,288 monthly median income of Decorah 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 Decorah
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Waukon, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Cresco, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Postville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Caledonia, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in New Hampton, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Prairie du Chien, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Chatfield, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in La Crescent, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Oelwein, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in La Crosse, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in French Island, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Charles City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in St. Charles, MN
- Post-Surgery Care in Viroqua, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Onalaska, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Osage, IA
Other care in Decorah
- Companion Care in Decorah
- Dementia Care in Decorah
- Respite Care in Decorah
- Live-In Caregivers in Decorah
- Senior Transportation in Decorah
- Home Health Aides in Decorah
- Nursing Assistants in Decorah
- Personal Care in Decorah
- Overnight Caregivers in Decorah
- 24-Hour Home Care in Decorah
- Mobility Assistance in Decorah
- Parkinson’s Care in Decorah
- Stroke Recovery Support in Decorah
- Disability Care for Adults in Decorah
- Hospice Support in Decorah
- Senior Meal Preparation in Decorah
- Senior Housekeeping in Decorah
- Medication Reminders in Decorah
- Veterans’ Home Care in Decorah
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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