Housekeeping for Seniors in Des Moines, IA: Help at Home

Local figures

Senior Housekeeping in Des Moines, IA: the local picture

14%

of residents 65+ have difficulty doing errands alone (11% in Polk County)

13,326

households headed by someone 65+ own their home (73%)

40%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (32% in Polk County)

3,313

residents 85 or older (1.6% of all residents)

About 3,733 Des Moines residents 65 or older have difficulty doing errands alone (14%; 11% in Polk County); housework usually becomes hard around the same time.

13,326 Des Moines households headed by someone 65+ own their home and 4,903 rent. In a house, say whether you also need help with stairs, the yard or the garage; those are often separate jobs.

Des Moines compared with Polk County and Iowa

Census figure	Des Moines	Polk County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with difficulty doing errands alone	14%	11%	10%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	32%	31%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.5%	2.3%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	23%	18%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	7.5%	8.4%
Residents 65 or older	13%	14%	18%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,181	$59,099	—

Older residents in towns around Des Moines

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Errand difficulty (65+)
Pleasant Hill, IA	5.7 mi	2,222	7.3%
Windsor Heights, IA	5.7 mi	985	13%
Carlisle, IA	7.1 mi	523	20%
Saylorville, IA	7.5 mi	705	0.6%
Norwalk, IA	7.6 mi	2,002	14%
Altoona, IA	8.6 mi	3,684	8.3%

What it covers

What a caregiver for housekeeping can help with

Dusting, vacuuming and mopping
Laundry, ironing and changing beds
Kitchen and bathroom cleaning
Taking out trash and recycling

Cost

What housekeeping help costs in Des Moines

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 37% of the $4,015 monthly median income of Des Moines 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 caregiver for housekeeping

Housekeeping help is non-medical and often comes alongside companionship or meal help. Heavy cleaning, deep cleaning, moving furniture and yard work are usually separate jobs, so say in your posting exactly what you need.

Questions worth asking: Which household tasks will you do, and which not? Do you bring your own supplies? Can you combine housekeeping with company or meals? More in our senior housekeeping guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Senior Housekeeping in Des Moines: common questions

How much does housekeeping help cost in Des Moines?

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 37% of the $4,015 monthly median income of Des Moines 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).

Is a housekeeper the same as a caregiver?

Not always. A housekeeper cleans; a caregiver may also give company, meals and personal care. Many caregivers on CaregiverConnect do light housekeeping as part of their visits.

More near Des Moines

More senior care near Des Moines

Senior Housekeeping in nearby cities

Other care in Des Moines

More for Des Moines families

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.

Housekeeping Help for Seniors in Des Moines, IA