Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Dubuque, 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 Dubuque for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Dubuque, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center in Dubuque, about 1.7 mi away in a straight line, followed by Finley Hospital (1.7 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 9 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Dubuque. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Dubuque compared with Dubuque County and Iowa
| Census figure | Dubuque | Dubuque County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 27% | 26% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 19% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 33% | 29% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.1% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 3.0% | 2.7% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 9.5% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $52,932 | $56,542 | — |
Older residents in towns around Dubuque
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury, IA | 3.8 mi | 887 | 13% |
| Galena, IL | 15 mi | 1,117 | 19% |
| Platteville, WI | 20 mi | 1,286 | 33% |
| Dyersville, IA | 21 mi | 734 | 25% |
| Lancaster, WI | 24 mi | 935 | 24% |
| Maquoketa, IA | 30 mi | 1,336 | 36% |
Hospitals near Dubuque
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center | Dubuque, IA | 1.7 mi | 3 of 5 | (563) 589-8000 |
| Finley Hospital | Dubuque, IA | 1.7 mi | 3 of 5 | (563) 582-1881 |
| Midwest Medical Center | Galena, IL | 16 mi | not rated | (815) 777-1340 |
| Southwest Health Center | Platteville, WI | 20 mi | not rated | (608) 348-2331 |
Home health agencies serving Dubuque
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unitypoint At Home | Dubuque, IA | 1.7 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (563) 583-5833 |
| Above And Beyond Home Health | Monticello, IA | 31 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 465-3059 |
| Unity Point At Home | Moline, IL | 71 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (309) 779-7600 |
| In-Home Care Connection Home Health Services | Moline, IL | 71 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (309) 764-7477 |
| 24 Hour Care, LLC | Galena, IL | 16 mi | 2 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides | (815) 777-2424 |
| Universal Pediatrics | Dubuque, IA | 1.8 mi | not rated | nursing, home health aides | (563) 557-5762 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Dubuque. 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 Dubuque
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 $4,411 monthly median income of Dubuque 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 Dubuque: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Dubuque?
Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center in Dubuque, about 1.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Dubuque (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (563) 589-8000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Dubuque?
Medicare lists 9 certified agencies whose service area includes Dubuque ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Unitypoint At Home (3.5 of 5), Above And Beyond Home Health (3.5 of 5), Unity Point At Home (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Dubuque?
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 $4,411 monthly median income of Dubuque 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 Dubuque
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Asbury, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Galena, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Platteville, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Dyersville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Lancaster, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Maquoketa, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Monticello, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Fennimore, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Mineral Point, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Manchester, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Anamosa, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Savanna, IL
- Post-Surgery Care in Prairie du Chien, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Dodgeville, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Boscobel, WI
- Post-Surgery Care in Lena, IL
Other care in Dubuque
- Companion Care in Dubuque
- Dementia Care in Dubuque
- Respite Care in Dubuque
- Live-In Caregivers in Dubuque
- Senior Transportation in Dubuque
- Home Health Aides in Dubuque
- Nursing Assistants in Dubuque
- Personal Care in Dubuque
- Overnight Caregivers in Dubuque
- 24-Hour Home Care in Dubuque
- Mobility Assistance in Dubuque
- Parkinson’s Care in Dubuque
- Stroke Recovery Support in Dubuque
- Disability Care for Adults in Dubuque
- Hospice Support in Dubuque
- Senior Meal Preparation in Dubuque
- Senior Housekeeping in Dubuque
- Medication Reminders in Dubuque
- Veterans’ Home Care in Dubuque
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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