Post-Surgery Home Care in Humboldt, IA

Local figures

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

0.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Humboldt)

2

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

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (25% in Humboldt County)

1,089

residents 65 or older (23% of Humboldt)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Humboldt County Memorial Hospital in Humboldt, about 0.6 mi away in a straight line, followed by Trinity Regional Medical Center (15 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 Humboldt. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Humboldt compared with Humboldt County and Iowa

Census figure	Humboldt	Humboldt County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	25%	30%
Residents 65 or older	23%	22%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	26%	31%
Households with no vehicle	7.7%	4.8%	5.4%
Residents 85 or older	4.9%	3.2%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.3%	6.5%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$66,607	$59,229	—

Older residents in towns around Humboldt

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fort Dodge, IA	15 mi	4,713	28%
Eagle Grove, IA	17 mi	653	49%
Algona, IA	24 mi	1,383	37%
Clarion, IA	25 mi	539	43%
Webster City, IA	27 mi	1,463	46%
Belmond, IA	32 mi	727	27%

Hospitals near Humboldt

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital	Humboldt, IA	0.6 mi	not rated	(515) 332-4200
Trinity Regional Medical Center	Fort Dodge, IA	15 mi	2 of 5	(515) 573-3101
Pocahontas Community Hospital	Pocahontas, IA	23 mi	not rated	(712) 335-3501
Kossuth Regional Health Center	Algona, IA	24 mi	1 of 5	(515) 295-2451

Home health agencies serving Humboldt

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Unitypoint At Home	Fort Dodge, IA	15 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 574-6416
Iowa Home Care, L L C	Webster City, IA	27 mi	2.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 576-2273

Straight-line miles from the center of Humboldt. 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 Humboldt

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 27% of the $5,551 monthly median income of Humboldt 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 Humboldt: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Humboldt?

Humboldt County Memorial Hospital in Humboldt, about 0.6 mi in a straight line from the center of Humboldt (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (515) 332-4200. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Humboldt?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Humboldt ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Unitypoint At Home (4 of 5), Iowa Home Care, L L C (2.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Humboldt?

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 27% of the $5,551 monthly median income of Humboldt 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 Humboldt

More senior care near Humboldt

Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities

Other care in Humboldt

More for Humboldt 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 Humboldt, IA