In-Home Care for Veterans in Des Moines, IA

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Des Moines, IA: the local picture

3,727

veterans aged 65 or older (14% of residents 65+)

27,045

residents 65 or older (13% of Des Moines)

36%

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

40%

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

About 3,727 Des Moines residents aged 65 or older are veterans (14% of that age group; 13% in Polk County), out of 8,179 veterans of all adult ages in town.

36% 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.

Des Moines compared with Polk County and Iowa

Census figure	Des Moines	Polk County	Iowa
Residents 65+ who are veterans	14%	13%	15%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	13%	14%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	23%	18%	17%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	7.5%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,181	$59,099	—

Older residents in towns around Des Moines

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Pleasant Hill, IA	5.7 mi	2,222	9.7%
Windsor Heights, IA	5.7 mi	985	21%
Carlisle, IA	7.1 mi	523	20%
Saylorville, IA	7.5 mi	705	24%
Norwalk, IA	7.6 mi	2,002	14%
Altoona, IA	8.6 mi	3,684	17%

Hospitals near Des Moines

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi	Des Moines, IA	1.2 mi	3 of 5	(515) 343-1000
Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center	Des Moines, IA	2.4 mi	1 of 5	(515) 247-4436
Broadlawns Medical Center	Des Moines, IA	2.4 mi	3 of 5	(515) 282-2200

Straight-line miles from the center of Des Moines. 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 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 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 Des Moines: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care 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).

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 Des Moines

More senior care near Des Moines

Veterans’ Home Care 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.