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Iowa is a popular retirement destination for seniors, ranking third in the Blacktower list of The Best US States for Retirement. Out of the state's population of 3,155,070, 17.5% are aged 65 or older. Seniors can take advantage of the state's relatively low cost of living, quality health care services and beautiful outdoor spaces to make the most of their retirement years.
Iowa has a SeniorScore of 74, which is higher than the national average score of 72. The SeniorScore is a measure of how senior-friendly a city is based on metrics, such as the cost of living, health care services, recreation options and climate. Iowa scored well in the Finances category, thanks to the overall cost of living in the state being lower than the national average. It also scored well in the Health & Safety category due to its life expectancy of 79.7, which is over a year longer than the national average.
This guide looks at the cost of home care and home health care services in Iowa as well as the financial assistance options and free home care resources that are available to the state's residents.
Located in West Des Moines, Iowa at 2500 University Ave, Iowa Home Care, LLC is a home healthcare provider offering in-home nursing services in addition to personal home care services. For nearly 14 years, they have been serving clients throughout ...
Located at 1524 Sycamore St in Iowa City, Iowa, Johnson County Visiting Nurse Association is a senior home care company offering home health services as well as personal care services. Since 1966, they have been helping customers throughout the Iowa ...
Above and Beyond Home Health is a home care provider located in Monticello, IA at 818 West 1st Street, Suite 301. They provide personal care services and in-home health care to senior clients. They have been serving clients in ...
Located at 606 NW 7th St in Pocahontas, IA, Pocahontas Community Hospital Home Health & Hospice is a senior home health care service provider that offers in-home nursing services and also in-home personal care. For nearly 34 years, they have ...
Located at 2301 Highway 71 in Spirit Lake, IA, Lakes Regional Healthcare Spirit Lake, Iowa is a senior home care provider offering personal care and home health services. They have been serving seniors in Iowa since 1979. They provide various ...
Located in Council Bluffs, IA at 35 Main Place, Suite 175, Angels Care Home Health of Iowa is a senior home care service provider that offers in-home nursing in addition to in-home personal care. They have been in business in ...
Mercy Home Care - Des Moines is a home health care service provider based in Des Moines, IA at 1055 6th Avenue, Suite 200. They offer in-home health care and in-home personal care services for seniors. They have been ...
Advanced Home Health Care is a home care company located in Burlington, IA at 1525 Mount Pleasant St. They offer home health services and personal home care to seniors. Since 1998, they have been helping customers throughout the Burlington ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a home care company based in Iowa City, IA at 1700 S 1st Ave Ste 28. They provide home healthcare and also personal care services to seniors. They offer a variety of medical services ...
Comfort Keepers is a home care provider located in Coralville, Iowa at 1752 5th St. They offer in-home medical care and also personal home care services for senior clients. They provide multiple personal services like dressing assistance, exercise assistance, ...
Located in Fort Dodge, Iowa at 802 Kenyon Rd, Unitypoint at Home is a senior home health care provider offering personal home care services and in-home nursing. For nearly 34 years, they have been serving customers throughout the Fort ...
Located at 200 Jefferson St in West Union, Iowa, Palmer Home Health is a in-home care service provider offering personal home care in addition to in-home health care. They have been serving seniors in West Union for nearly 31 years. ...
Wesley Life Home Health is a senior in-home care provider located in Des Moines, Iowa at 944 18th St. They offer in-home care in addition to in-home nursing care for senior clientele. They have been providing care in Des ...
105 South Marshall
Boone, IA 50036
Located in Boone, Iowa at 105 South Marshall, Home Care Services of Boone Co is a home health care company that offers personal care services and in-home nursing care. They have been in operation in Boone for 49 years. They ...
108 East Main St
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Located in Ottumwa, Iowa at 108 East Main St, Wapello County is a senior home care service provider that offers in-home health care as well as personal care. They have been in business in Iowa since 1969. They offer ...
204 North 4th Avenue East
Newton, IA 50208
Located in Newton, IA at 204 North 4th Avenue East, Skiff Home Care-Jasper County Public Health is a senior in-home care company that offers in-home medical care along with home care services. They have been in operation in Newton for ...
216 South 4th St
Forest City, IA 50436
Located at 216 South 4th St in Forest City, IA, Winnebago County Phns is an in-home care service provider that offers in-home care in addition to home health care. They have been operating in Iowa for nearly 49 years. They ...
4571 Sheridan St
Davenport, IA 52806
Located at 4571 Sheridan St in Davenport, IA, Home Helpers is a senior in-home care provider offering in-home personal care in addition to home health services. They provide multiple medical services including diabetes management, catheter care, wound care, CPR, ...
1600 Morgan St
Keokuk, IA 52632
Located at 1600 Morgan St in Keokuk, IA, Keokuk Health Systems Home Health Care is a home health care company offering in-home health care as well as home care services. For nearly 51 years, they have been serving customers in ...
2894 Aaa Court
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Genesis Vna and Hospice is a senior home care company located in Bettendorf, Iowa at 2894 Aaa Court. They provide home health services and home care services to senior clients. They have been in business in Bettendorf for nearly ...
According to Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey, the cost of home care in Iowa is higher than the national average. Home care and home health care services cost an average of $4,767 per month in Iowa, compared to the national average of $4,290 for home care and $4,385 for home health care services, which include assistance with the activities of daily living plus skilled nursing care.
Home care and home health care services in Iowa are slightly more expensive than in most neighboring states, at $4,767 per month. Seniors in Missouri pay just $4,195 per month for similar services, while Illinois residents pay $4,481 per month for home care and $4,576 for home health care. Fees in Nebraska are similar for home care, but home health care is $190 more expensive. Fees in Minnesota are around 20% higher for in-home care services.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Iowa | $4,767 | $4,767 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Nebraska | $4,671 | $4,957 |
Missouri | $4,195 | $4,195 |
Illinois | $4,481 | $4,576 |
Minnesota | $5,529 | $5,815 |
Seniors living in Iowa have several options for support. In addition to home care and home health care, seniors can also make use of adult day care services. This care option costs $1,376 per month and allows seniors to live in their own home while receiving day-to-day support in a community center. Seniors with more advanced care needs may opt to reside in an assisted living facility at a cost of $4,078 per month or pay around 50% more to receive skilled nursing home care.
The cost of home care across Iowa varies significantly. The most affordable city for both home care and home health care is Cedar Rapids, where fees average just $4,195 per month. The most expensive area is Sioux City, where home care and home health care services can cost $5,529 per month. Fees in Davenport, Iowa City and Waterloo are closer to the national average.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Iowa | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Cedar Rapids | $4,195 | $4,195 |
Dubuque | $4,195 | $4,385 |
Davenport | $4,290 | $4,290 |
Iowa City | $4,385 | $4,385 |
Waterloo | $4,481 | $4,481 |
Des Moines | $4,957 | $4,957 |
Sioux City | $5,529 | $5,529 |
This Medicaid waiver provides Iowa seniors with support to access nursing home levels of care while still living in their own home. The waiver can be used for adult day care services, homemaker services, home health aides, attendant care, assistive devices and other tools that will allow the senior to avoid nursing home placement. To be eligible, seniors must be able to demonstrate a need for a level of care that would normally be provided in an institutional setting and must meet income and asset limits.
Contact Information
For more information about the waiver and how to apply, call (800) 338-8366.
The Iowa Health and Disability Waiver offers support for those who are physically disabled but do not yet qualify for the Home and Community Based Services Elderly Waiver. This makes it a suitable option for those in their late 50s or early 60s who have limited mobility and require support with hygiene, toileting, medication monitoring and the activities of daily living. There are income and asset limits that must be met for a person to be eligible for the Health and Disability Waiver.
Contact Information
To learn more about the waiver and how to apply, call (800) 338-8366
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
In Iowa, home care and home health care services are provided by licensed agencies. The Iowa Health Facilities Division is responsible for licensing or certifying Medicare and Medicaid programs and care providers in the state. Home care and home health care providers must adhere to state guidelines relating to hiring practices, the scope of care provided and the reporting of abuse. Providers may be inspected at any time to ensure they and their employees are operating in accordance with the guidelines.
Scope of Care | Home care services include assistance with the activities of daily living, companionship, light housework and day-to-day support of a nonmedical nature. Home health care is similar to home care; however, services also include at least one form of therapeutic or skilled nursing service provided by a trained professional. |
Care Plan Requirements | Home health care agencies are required to follow a written care plan that has been established by an attending physician in conjunction with the agency staff. Modifications to the care plan must be approved by the physician. |
Medication Management Requirements | Home care workers who provide nonmedical care are not permitted to administer medication, but they may assist with self-medication or reminders for medication prescribed by a physician. Home health care agencies are permitted to administer medications as prescribed in the patient's care plan. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Home care agencies must properly vet employees and ensure that background checks are carried out by a suitable third party vendor such as the Professional Background Screening Association. All individuals who will have contact with patients or clients, including students or trainees, should be vetted. |
Staff Training Requirements | There is no requirement for formal medical training to become a home care provider in Iowa. Home health care aides, however, must receive a minimum of 75 hours of training plus 16 hours of supervised clinical practice before they can deliver services in the field. |
Medicaid Coverage | Seniors living in Iowa who are in receipt of Medicaid may be eligible for home care or home health care support under the Home and Community Based Services Elderly Waiver. |
Reporting Abuse | Concerns about elder abuse can be reported to the Iowa Department of Human Services Dependent Adult Abuse 24-hour hotline on (800) 362-2178. Concerns relating to home health care and abuse should be reported to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Nursing Home and Home Health Complaint Hotline on (877) 686-0027. |
Seniors in Iowa have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
The Iowa Department of Aging's Legal Assistance Program provides legal advice and assistance to those aged 60 and over. Priority is given to those who have the greatest economic need or are the most vulnerable. The program offers assistance with civil legal issues such as benefits, elder abuse, guardianship, advance directives, housing, debts and estate planning.
Contact Information
To request advice, seniors can call the legal hotline at (515) 282-8161 or (800) 992-8161.
This program provides options counseling, information and resources for seniors who require support to remain in their own homes as they age. The LifeLong Links service helps Iowa residents access the tools and resources they need to successfully age in place and offers financial guidance so their savings or income can go further as their support needs increase.
Contact Information
The service provides telephone support at (866) 468-7887.
The SHIIP helps seniors make informed choices about Medicare. The program is staffed by trained insurance experts who give impartial, vendor-neutral advice. Since advisors are not connected to any Medicare insurance provider and do not receive commission, seniors can be confident that they will be given the best advice to suit their circumstances.
Contact Information
Seniors can find the nearest SHIIP sponsor site's contact information on this list.
The Iowa Department on Aging maintains a list of the state's Area Agencies on Aging. These agencies offer information, referrals to assistance programs, nutrition education, meals on wheels, senior transportation services and other programs in their individual areas. The agencies serve as a first point of contact for seniors and their caregivers, and advice is provided free of charge.
Contact Information
To find a local Area Agency on Aging, seniors can call (800) 532-3212.
Senior citizens can claim property tax credit relief under the state's Homestead tax laws if they are a homeowner. Those who rent may be eligible for rent reimbursement. Seniors can apply to the Iowa Department of Revenue to claim these credits and exemptions. Relief is available for seniors, those on low incomes and those living with a disability.
Contact Information
To learn more about property tax credits and reimbursements, seniors can call the Department of Revenue at (800) 367-3388 or (515) 288-3114.
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