How Much Does a Home Health Aide Cost per Hour in Iowa?

In Iowa, services from home health aides cost $29.25 per hour. This is based on an annual rate of $66,924 and assumes 44 hours of care per week. The rate an individual pays may differ if they require more or fewer hours than the standard.

Nationally, home health aide services cost $27 per hour, a couple of dollars less than the Iowa norm. Even so, care costs in this state are consistent with rates in bordering states. Care costs in Wisconsin are comparable at $30 per hour, and in Nebraska and Missouri, fees are a little lower at $28 and $25, respectively. In Minnesota, which lies just north of Iowa, care costs are higher at $36.25.

Where an individual lives in Iowa has a significant impact on what they pay for home health care. Iowa City and the Waterloo area have the most economically surveyed hourly rates in the state at $25, and in Davenport, care costs come in at $27. Home health aides in Dubuque charge hourly rates of $27.75, and in Sioux City, seniors pay $28. In Cedar Rapids and Ames, respective care costs are in line with the state norm at $29 and $29.50, and in the capital city of Des Moines, rates are slightly higher at $30.50.

Home health care is ideal for older adults who need personal care, companionship and some skilled nursing services and prefer to remain in their own homes. In some cases, home health care can enable seniors to avoid or postpone nursing home placement, which is considerably costlier. For older adults who only need nonmedical care, in-home care is slightly less expensive at $29 per hour, adding up to an annual savings of about $600. Those seeking greater cost savings while living at home may consider adult day health care, which comes in at about a quarter of the cost of home health care.