Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Harlan, 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 Harlan for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Harlan, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, about 0.9 mi away in a straight line, followed by Audubon County Memorial Hospital (22 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 Harlan. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Harlan compared with Shelby County and Iowa
| Census figure | Harlan | Shelby County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 24% | 23% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 24% | 23% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 47% | 31% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.5% | 3.2% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 5.8% | 4.0% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 24% | 16% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $32,500 | $53,889 | — |
Older residents in towns around Harlan
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic, IA | 24 mi | 1,632 | 37% |
| Denison, IA | 25 mi | 1,109 | 42% |
| Missouri Valley, IA | 30 mi | 529 | 36% |
| Carroll, IA | 38 mi | 2,456 | 22% |
| Carter Lake, IA | 39 mi | 650 | 42% |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 39 mi | 10,951 | 39% |
Hospitals near Harlan
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtue Medical Center | Harlan, IA | 0.9 mi | 3 of 5 | (712) 755-5161 |
| Audubon County Memorial Hospital | Audubon, IA | 22 mi | not rated | (712) 563-2611 |
| Manning Regional Healthcare Center | Manning, IA | 23 mi | not rated | (712) 655-2072 |
| Cass County Memorial Hospital | Atlantic, IA | 24 mi | 5 of 5 | (712) 243-3250 |
Home health agencies serving Harlan
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels Care Home Health Of Iowa | Council Bluffs, IA | 37 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (712) 352-3640 |
| Aveanna Home Health | Council Bluffs, IA | 41 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (712) 325-8989 |
| Carroll Area Nursing Services | Carroll, IA | 38 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (712) 792-1111 |
| Myrtue Med Center Home Health | Harlan, IA | 0.9 mi | 2 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (712) 755-4308 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Harlan. 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 Harlan
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 55% of the $2,708 monthly median income of Harlan 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 Harlan: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Harlan?
Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, about 0.9 mi in a straight line from the center of Harlan (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (712) 755-5161. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Harlan?
Medicare lists 4 certified agencies whose service area includes Harlan ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Angels Care Home Health Of Iowa (4 of 5), Aveanna Home Health (4 of 5), Carroll Area Nursing Services (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Harlan?
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 55% of the $2,708 monthly median income of Harlan 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 Harlan
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Atlantic, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Denison, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Missouri Valley, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Carroll, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Carter Lake, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Council Bluffs, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Blair, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Red Oak, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Omaha, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Glenwood, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Bellevue, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Onawa, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Offutt AFB, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Ralston, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in La Vista, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Papillion, NE
Other care in Harlan
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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