Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Jefferson, 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 Jefferson for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Jefferson, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, about 0.8 mi away in a straight line, followed by Dallas County Hospital (19 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 Jefferson. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Jefferson compared with Greene County and Iowa
| Census figure | Jefferson | Greene County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 40% | 37% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 31% | 24% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 37% | 33% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.1% | 3.2% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 5.6% | 3.3% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 12% | 11% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $42,500 | $46,319 | — |
Older residents in towns around Jefferson
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry, IA | 19 mi | 1,200 | 46% |
| Carroll, IA | 25 mi | 2,456 | 22% |
| Boone, IA | 26 mi | 2,272 | 35% |
| Madrid, IA | 30 mi | 566 | 41% |
| Adel, IA | 34 mi | 792 | 21% |
| Fort Dodge, IA | 36 mi | 4,713 | 28% |
Hospitals near Jefferson
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greene County Medical Center | Jefferson, IA | 0.8 mi | not rated | (515) 386-2114 |
| Dallas County Hospital | Perry, IA | 19 mi | not rated | (515) 465-3547 |
| Guthrie County Hospital | Guthrie Center, IA | 24 mi | not rated | (641) 747-2201 |
| St Anthony Regional Hospital & Nursing Home | Carroll, IA | 25 mi | 2 of 5 | (712) 792-3581 |
Home health agencies serving Jefferson
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Anthony Regional Hospital And Nursing Home | Carroll, IA | 25 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (712) 794-5279 |
| Carroll Area Nursing Services | Carroll, IA | 25 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (712) 792-1111 |
| Unitypoint At Home | Urbandale, IA | 43 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 557-3100 |
| Iowa Home Care, L L C | West Des Moines, IA | 43 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 222-9995 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Jefferson. 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 Jefferson
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 42% of the $3,542 monthly median income of Jefferson 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 Jefferson: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Jefferson?
Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, about 0.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Jefferson (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (515) 386-2114. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Jefferson?
Medicare lists 4 certified agencies whose service area includes Jefferson ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include St Anthony Regional Hospital And Nursing Home (4 of 5), Carroll Area Nursing Services (3.5 of 5), Unitypoint At Home (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Jefferson?
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 42% of the $3,542 monthly median income of Jefferson 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 Jefferson
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Perry, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Carroll, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Boone, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Madrid, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Adel, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Fort Dodge, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Polk City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Grimes, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Ames, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Waukee, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Johnston, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Urbandale, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Clive, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Huxley, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Webster City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Story City, IA
Other care in Jefferson
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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