Veterans' Home Care in Ankeny, IA: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Ankeny, IA: the local picture

1,102

veterans aged 65 or older (13% of residents 65+)

8,466

residents 65 or older (12% of Ankeny)

24%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Polk County)

27%

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

About 1,102 Ankeny residents aged 65 or older are veterans (13% of that age group; 13% in Polk County), out of 2,804 veterans of all adult ages in town.

24% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (31% in Polk County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Ankeny compared with Polk County and Iowa

Census figure	Ankeny	Polk County	Iowa
Residents 65+ who are veterans	13%	13%	15%
Residents 65+ with a disability	24%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	12%	14%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	14%	18%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.5%	7.5%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$69,184	$59,099	—

Older residents in towns around Ankeny

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Saylorville, IA	3.7 mi	705	24%
Johnston, IA	6.9 mi	3,741	13%
Polk City, IA	7.2 mi	874	12%
Bondurant, IA	8.0 mi	577	22%
Altoona, IA	8.3 mi	3,684	17%
Pleasant Hill, IA	10 mi	2,222	9.7%

Hospitals near Ankeny

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Va Central Iowa Healthcare System	Des Moines, IA	8.1 mi	4 of 5	(515) 699-5999
Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center	Des Moines, IA	8.9 mi	1 of 5	(515) 247-4436
Broadlawns Medical Center	Des Moines, IA	8.9 mi	3 of 5	(515) 282-2200

Straight-line miles from the center of Ankeny. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care costs in Ankeny

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 26% of the $5,765 monthly median income of Ankeny 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 a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

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

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Ankeny: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Ankeny?

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 26% of the $5,765 monthly median income of Ankeny 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).

Does the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Ankeny

More senior care near Ankeny

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Ankeny

More for Ankeny 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.

In-Home Care for Veterans in Ankeny, IA