Post-Surgery Home Care in Estherville, IA

Local figures

Post-Surgery Care in Estherville, IA: the local picture

0.8 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Estherville)

2

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

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (41% in Emmet County)

1,332

residents 65 or older (23% of Estherville)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, about 0.8 mi away in a straight line, followed by Lakes Regional Healthcare (14 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 Estherville. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Estherville compared with Emmet County and Iowa

Census figure	Estherville	Emmet County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	41%	30%
Residents 65 or older	23%	24%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	46%	37%	31%
Households with no vehicle	8.9%	6.1%	5.4%
Residents 85 or older	3.2%	3.1%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	10%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$34,091	$46,074	—

Older residents in towns around Estherville

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Spirit Lake, IA	14 mi	1,217	37%
Milford, IA	16 mi	802	23%
Jackson, MN	17 mi	714	49%
Emmetsburg, IA	21 mi	934	38%
Spencer, IA	24 mi	2,495	30%
Fairmont, MN	25 mi	2,691	35%

Hospitals near Estherville

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Avera Holy Family Hospital	Estherville, IA	0.8 mi	2 of 5	(712) 362-2631
Lakes Regional Healthcare	Spirit Lake, IA	14 mi	2 of 5	(712) 336-1230
Sanford Jackson Medical Center	Jackson, MN	19 mi	not rated	(507) 847-2420
Palo Alto County Hospital	Emmetsburg, IA	22 mi	not rated	(712) 852-5500

Home health agencies serving Estherville

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Avera @ Home	Estherville, IA	0.8 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(712) 362-6169
Sanford Home Health And Hospice Sheldon	Sheldon, IA	53 mi	2.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(712) 324-6420

Straight-line miles from the center of Estherville. 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 Estherville

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 53% of the $2,841 monthly median income of Estherville 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 Estherville: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Estherville?

Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, about 0.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Estherville (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (712) 362-2631. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Estherville?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Estherville ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Avera @ Home (4 of 5), Sanford Home Health And Hospice Sheldon (2.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Estherville?

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 53% of the $2,841 monthly median income of Estherville 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 Estherville

More senior care near Estherville

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Estherville

More for Estherville 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 Estherville, IA