Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Onawa, 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 Onawa for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Onawa, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Burgess Health Center in Onawa, about 1.1 mi away in a straight line, followed by Twelve Clans Unity Hospital (24 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 5 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Onawa. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Onawa compared with Monona County and Iowa
| Census figure | Onawa | Monona County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 42% | 30% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 24% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 54% | 39% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.2% | 4.2% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 5.1% | 4.3% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 23% | 10% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $36,061 | $38,363 | — |
Older residents in towns around Onawa
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Bluff, IA | 29 mi | 646 | 34% |
| Dakota City, NE | 32 mi | 295 | 33% |
| Blair, NE | 34 mi | 1,337 | 39% |
| Missouri Valley, IA | 34 mi | 529 | 36% |
| West Point, NE | 34 mi | 788 | 34% |
| South Sioux City, NE | 34 mi | 1,535 | 26% |
Hospitals near Onawa
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgess Health Center | Onawa, IA | 1.1 mi | 3 of 5 | (712) 423-2311 |
| Twelve Clans Unity Hospital | Winnebago, NE | 24 mi | not rated | (402) 878-2231 |
| Pender Community Hospital | Pender, NE | 33 mi | not rated | (402) 385-3083 |
| Memorial Community Hospital & Health System | Blair, NE | 33 mi | not rated | (402) 426-1502 |
Home health agencies serving Onawa
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveanna Healthcare | Sioux City, IA | 38 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (712) 233-5494 |
| Angels Care Home Health Of Iowa | Council Bluffs, IA | 55 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (712) 352-3640 |
| Burgess Home Health | Onawa, IA | 1.1 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (712) 423-2311 |
| Heights Home Health, Inc | Mapleton, IA | 18 mi | 2 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (712) 881-7144 |
| Wel-Home Health Of Sergeant Bluff | Sergeant Bluff, IA | 29 mi | 2 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides | (712) 943-7644 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Onawa. 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 Onawa
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 50% of the $3,005 monthly median income of Onawa 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 Onawa: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Onawa?
Burgess Health Center in Onawa, about 1.1 mi in a straight line from the center of Onawa (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (712) 423-2311. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Onawa?
Medicare lists 5 certified agencies whose service area includes Onawa ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Aveanna Healthcare (4.5 of 5), Angels Care Home Health Of Iowa (4 of 5), Burgess Home Health (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Onawa?
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 50% of the $3,005 monthly median income of Onawa 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 Onawa
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Sergeant Bluff, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Dakota City, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Blair, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Missouri Valley, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in West Point, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in South Sioux City, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Sioux City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Dakota Dunes, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Denison, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in North Sioux City, SD
- Post-Surgery Care in Fremont, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Harlan, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Wayne, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Valley, NE
- Post-Surgery Care in Carter Lake, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Le Mars, IA
Other care in Onawa
- Companion Care in Onawa
- Dementia Care in Onawa
- Respite Care in Onawa
- Live-In Caregivers in Onawa
- Senior Transportation in Onawa
- Home Health Aides in Onawa
- Nursing Assistants in Onawa
- Personal Care in Onawa
- Overnight Caregivers in Onawa
- 24-Hour Home Care in Onawa
- Mobility Assistance in Onawa
- Parkinson’s Care in Onawa
- Stroke Recovery Support in Onawa
- Disability Care for Adults in Onawa
- Hospice Support in Onawa
- Senior Meal Preparation in Onawa
- Senior Housekeeping in Onawa
- Medication Reminders in Onawa
- Veterans’ Home Care in Onawa
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.
Find post-surgery care in Onawa
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Onawa can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
