Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Waukee, 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 Waukee for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Waukee, IA: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Va Central Iowa Healthcare System in Des Moines, about 11 mi away in a straight line, followed by Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center (13 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 15 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Waukee. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Waukee compared with Dallas County and Iowa
| Census figure | Waukee | Dallas County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 29% | 27% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 11% | 13% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 34% | 28% | 31% |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.7% | 2.9% | 5.4% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.3% | 1.9% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 6.4% | 6.1% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $60,061 | $67,985 | — |
Older residents in towns around Waukee
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clive, IA | 4.7 mi | 3,026 | 24% |
| West Des Moines, IA | 5.9 mi | 10,723 | 28% |
| Urbandale, IA | 6.2 mi | 6,881 | 22% |
| Adel, IA | 6.8 mi | 792 | 21% |
| Grimes, IA | 7.3 mi | 1,199 | 27% |
| Windsor Heights, IA | 8.8 mi | 985 | 35% |
Hospitals near Waukee
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Va Central Iowa Healthcare System | Des Moines, IA | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | (515) 699-5999 |
| Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center | Des Moines, IA | 13 mi | 1 of 5 | (515) 247-4436 |
| Broadlawns Medical Center | Des Moines, IA | 13 mi | 3 of 5 | (515) 282-2200 |
| Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi | Des Moines, IA | 14 mi | 3 of 5 | (515) 343-1000 |
Home health agencies serving Waukee
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveanna Healthcare | West Des Moines, IA | 4.5 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (515) 497-7700 |
| Centerwell Home Health | Urbandale, IA | 8.7 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (515) 277-0977 |
| Elara Caring | Chariton, IA | 49 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (641) 774-2339 |
| Mercyone Des Moines Home Care | Des Moines, IA | 14 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 643-8383 |
| Faith Home Health Care | West Des Moines, IA | 7.2 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (319) 330-1755 |
| Unitypoint At Home | Urbandale, IA | 8.7 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (515) 557-3100 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Waukee. 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 Waukee
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 30% of the $5,005 monthly median income of Waukee 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 Waukee: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Waukee?
Va Central Iowa Healthcare System in Des Moines, about 11 mi in a straight line from the center of Waukee (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (515) 699-5999. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Waukee?
Medicare lists 15 certified agencies whose service area includes Waukee ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Aveanna Healthcare (5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (5 of 5), Elara Caring (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care cost in Waukee?
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 30% of the $5,005 monthly median income of Waukee 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 Waukee
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Clive, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in West Des Moines, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Urbandale, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Adel, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Grimes, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Windsor Heights, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Johnston, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Norwalk, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Des Moines, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Saylorville, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Polk City, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Ankeny, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Winterset, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Pleasant Hill, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Madrid, IA
- Post-Surgery Care in Perry, IA
Other care in Waukee
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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