Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Iowa City, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down in Iowa City, about 1.0 mi away in a straight line, followed by University Of Iowa Hospital & Clinics (1.0 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 13 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Iowa City. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Iowa City compared with Johnson County and Iowa
| Census figure | Iowa City | Johnson County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 30% | 27% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 12% | 13% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 34% | 30% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 11% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.8% | 1.5% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.6% | 5.5% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $66,368 | $70,562 | — |
Older residents in towns around Iowa City
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coralville, IA | 4.5 mi | 3,097 | 31% |
| Tiffin, IA | 7.2 mi | 586 | 21% |
| North Liberty, IA | 7.4 mi | 1,513 | 26% |
| West Branch, IA | 9.7 mi | 434 | 26% |
| Solon, IA | 11 mi | 469 | 32% |
| Kalona, IA | 15 mi | 684 | 21% |
Hospitals near Iowa City
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down | Iowa City, IA | 1.0 mi | 4 of 5 | (319) 339-0300 |
| University Of Iowa Hospital & Clinics | Iowa City, IA | 1.0 mi | 2 of 5 | (319) 356-1616 |
| Iowa City Va Medical Center | Iowa City, IA | 2.0 mi | 5 of 5 | (319) 338-0581 |
| Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids, IA | 23 mi | 4 of 5 | (319) 398-6011 |
Home health agencies serving Iowa City
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Hiawatha, IA | 28 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 393-4742 |
| Aveanna Healthcare | Hiawatha, IA | 28 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (319) 373-6294 |
| University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown Home Health | Coralville, IA | 4.1 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 358-2740 |
| Unitypoint At Home | Cedar Rapids, IA | 26 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | — |
| Mercy Home Care | Cedar Rapids, IA | 26 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (319) 398-6034 |
| Johnson County Visiting Nurse Association | Iowa City, IA | 2.1 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (319) 337-9686 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Iowa City. 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 Iowa City
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 $5,531 monthly median income of Iowa City 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 Iowa City: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Iowa City?
University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down in Iowa City, about 1.0 mi in a straight line from the center of Iowa City (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (319) 339-0300. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Iowa City?
Medicare lists 13 certified agencies whose service area includes Iowa City ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Aveanna Healthcare (5 of 5), University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown Home Health (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Iowa City?
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 $5,531 monthly median income of Iowa City 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 Iowa City
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Coralville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Tiffin, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in North Liberty, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in West Branch, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Solon, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Kalona, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in West Liberty, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Mount Vernon, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Tipton, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Fairfax, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Williamsburg, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Washington, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Wilton, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Marion, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Hiawatha, IA
Other care in Iowa City
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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