Oskaloosa, Iowa

Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Oskaloosa, 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 Oskaloosa for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

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

0.2 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Oskaloosa)
8
Medicare-certified home health agencies list Oskaloosa ZIP codes in their service area
35%
of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Mahaska County)
2,347
residents 65 or older (20% of Oskaloosa)

The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa, about 0.2 mi away in a straight line, followed by Pella Regional Health Center (16 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.

Medicare lists 8 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Oskaloosa. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.

Oskaloosa compared with Mahaska County and Iowa

Census figureOskaloosaMahaska CountyIowa
Residents 65+ with a disability35%34%30%
Residents 65 or older20%19%18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone26%26%31%
Households with no vehicle5.5%4.0%5.4%
Residents 85 or older2.7%2.0%2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)5.0%6.5%8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$50,023$50,470—

Older residents in towns around Oskaloosa

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Pella, IA16 mi2,01735%
Albia, IA20 mi81246%
Ottumwa, IA22 mi4,10743%
Knoxville, IA24 mi1,72044%
Grinnell, IA31 mi2,03434%
Newton, IA35 mi3,38131%

Hospitals near Oskaloosa

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Mahaska Health PartnershipOskaloosa, IA0.2 mi4 of 5(641) 672-3100
Pella Regional Health CenterPella, IA16 mi4 of 5(641) 628-3150
Monroe County HospitalAlbia, IA20 minot rated(641) 932-2134
Ottumwa Regional Health CenterOttumwa, IA22 mi2 of 5(641) 682-7511

Home health agencies serving Oskaloosa

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Elara CaringChariton, IA39 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(641) 774-2339
Elara CaringCenterville, IA41 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides(641) 437-1117
Iowa Home Care, L L COttumwa, IA22 mi4 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(641) 226-5050
Pella Regional Home Health AgencyPella, IA16 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(641) 628-6638
Unitypoint At HomeUrbandale, IA61 mi3.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(515) 557-3100
Iowa Home Care, L L CWest Des Moines, IA63 mi3 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(515) 222-9995

Straight-line miles from the center of Oskaloosa. 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 Oskaloosa

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 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Oskaloosa?

Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa, about 0.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Oskaloosa (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (641) 672-3100. In an emergency, call 911.

Which home health agencies serve Oskaloosa?

Medicare lists 8 certified agencies whose service area includes Oskaloosa ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Elara Caring (4.5 of 5), Iowa Home Care, L L C (4 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does post-surgery care cost in Oskaloosa?

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 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa 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.

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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