The average starting cost of home care in Iowa is $33 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Iowa are Right at Home - Des Moines, IA, Cornerstone Caregiving - Waterloo, IA or Seniors Helping Seniors of (Quad Cities) Davenport, IA.
Home care in Iowa helps seniors remain safely and comfortably at home while receiving assistance with daily activities. Families across communities such as Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Ames can choose from a variety of home care providers offering flexible services to meet different care needs and lifestyles. When comparing agencies, many families prioritize dependable caregivers, personalized care plans, clear pricing, and a provider they can trust.
Home care provides nonmedical support, including assistance with personal care, meal preparation, housekeeping, and companionship. Home health care, by comparison, delivers skilled medical services from licensed health care professionals. While some agencies provide both types of care, A Place for Mom’s network focuses on nonmedical home care providers. A Place for Mom has partnered with 79 home care agencies to help seniors and their families find the right care solution.
Reviewer Ranking
4.8/ 5.0
(19)What I like most about their services are the Aides who understand what is needed and most helpful. I would definitely recommend them, they have a very nice staff.
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(3)We hired Seniors Helping Seniors to assist with every day care for my dad. They assist with meals, personal hygiene, measuring progress/decline and there fair afore a source of company and conversation.
Reviewer Ranking
4.8/ 5.0
(19)What I like most about their services are the Aides who understand what is needed and most helpful. I would definitely recommend them, they have a very nice staff.
Reviewer Ranking
4.7/ 5.0
(3)We are not actually customers yet. We've been living out of our home due to a house fire 10 months ago. ago. It looks like we won't be back in til February at which point we'll definitely become a part of...
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(2)I actually only used services from April one time but I really like her and will use her services again if she's available. My wife and I were back and forth on what we wanted to do which is why we only used...
Reviewer Ranking
4.8/ 5.0
(19)What I like most about their services are the Aides who understand what is needed and most helpful. I would definitely recommend them, they have a very nice staff.
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(3)We were very happy with our experience with Home Care Assistance Des Moines. We liked the attitude of the staff when we called and that is the reason we chose them. I may need this service myself and they...
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(2)I actually only used services from April one time but I really like her and will use her services again if she's available. My wife and I were back and forth on what we wanted to do which is why we only used...
Reviewer Ranking
4.7/ 5.0
(3)We are not actually customers yet. We've been living out of our home due to a house fire 10 months ago. ago. It looks like we won't be back in til February at which point we'll definitely become a part of...
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(2)We were very happy with this service for my mom's care. The staff here were able to find me a great care taker to assist with taking care of my mom as requested. She was respectful and caring. We found her...
Reviewer Ranking
4.8/ 5.0
(19)What I like most about their services are the Aides who understand what is needed and most helpful. I would definitely recommend them, they have a very nice staff.
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(2)I actually only used services from April one time but I really like her and will use her services again if she's available. My wife and I were back and forth on what we wanted to do which is why we only used...
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(3)We were very happy with our experience with Home Care Assistance Des Moines. We liked the attitude of the staff when we called and that is the reason we chose them. I may need this service myself and they...
Home care in Iowa typically costs $6,253 per hour, which is comparable to the national average of $32 per hour.[01] Throughout the state, costs vary. In Sioux City and Des Moines, the hourly rate is similar to the national rate, while in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, costs are typically lower than the national average.
Monthly costs vary depending on how many hours of care your loved one needs. The following estimates are based on the average hourly rate in Iowa:
Several factors can affect home care costs in Iowa, including:
Average monthly costs
Iowa
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
Average monthly costs
| Community type | Iowa | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $5,505/mo | $5,830/mo | 5.6% below national average |
| Memory Care | $6,921/mo | $6,999/mo | 1.1% below national average |
| Independent Living | $2,925/mo | $3,520/mo | 16.9% below national average |
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
In Iowa, families typically cover the cost of nonmedical home care using a combination of private resources, insurance, and public assistance programs. Depending on their circumstances, payment options may include personal savings, long-term care insurance, Medicaid, veterans benefits, and other financial resources.
Common private pay options include:
Eligible veterans and surviving spouses in Iowa may be able to use U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to help pay for home care. Available programs include:
Eligibility depends on the specific program and the applicant’s circumstances. Veterans and their families can find more information through VA.gov or the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs.
Medicaid is a health insurance program that’s funded by federal and state governments and administered by each state. Designed to support people who have low incomes, Iowa’s Medicaid program can cover the cost of some health and personal care services for eligible seniors.
In Iowa, two Medicaid programs help older adults afford home care: the state’s regular plan and the Elderly Waiver for home and community-based services (HCBS).[04,05]
Understanding the differences between these programs can help families plan for long-term care. Regular Medicaid is an entitlement program, meaning eligible seniors can receive covered medical and nonmedical services based on their assessed needs. The Elderly Waiver, however, has a limited number of enrollment slots, so eligible applicants may be placed on a waitlist if the program is full.
To qualify for either program, applicants must meet Medicaid’s income and asset limits and demonstrate that they need the level of care the program provides.
Medicare may help pay for home health care when a doctor determines it’s medically necessary. Covered services can include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, and certain medical supplies.
In most cases, Medicare doesn’t cover ongoing nonmedical home care by itself. Assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, walking, or housekeeping is generally covered only when it’s provided as part of a Medicare-approved home health care plan that also includes skilled medical services.[06]
Iowa regulates home health agencies and agencies that provide nonmedical home care.[07,08] Regulations for home health agencies ensure providers meet standards for safety, training, and quality of care. For nonmedical home care agencies, regulations primarily relate to Medicaid program requirements and business operations.[09]
In Iowa, home health agencies are required to be licensed, but agencies that provide nonmedical home care and homemaker services do not need a license to operate.[07]
Home health agencies in Iowa are inspected,[07] but nonmedical home care agencies are not.
Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission, which can indicate a higher level of quality.[10]
Iowa has not issued training standards for nonmedical home care providers.[11] Background checks are required, however.[08]
Choosing the right agency is one of the most important steps. Here are some tips to guide your decision:
Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
The average cost of home care in Iowa is $33 per hour.
Medicare covers home health care, and can cover nonmedical home care services, such as help with bathing, grooming, and feeding, if they are medically necessary and provided in conjunction with skilled services.
Yes, Iowa Medicaid will cover the cost of some home care services for eligible residents.
Yes, Iowa’s Consumer-Directed Attendant Care program permits friends and family members to be paid for providing caregiver services.
Eligibility for home care assistance in Iowa depends on income, assets, care needs, and specific program requirements.
Home care agencies in Iowa typically provide services such as personal care, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation to appointments and for errands.
Difficulty with daily tasks, safety concerns, medication mismanagement, and poor hygiene are a few of the common signs that your loved one could benefit from home care.
A Place for Mom. (2026). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, March 6). Geriatrics and extended care: Home and community based services.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, May 8). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Iowa Health & Human Services. Long-term care.
Iowa Health & Human Services. Waiver programs.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services. Medicare.gov.
Iowa Legislature. Chapter 50. Health Care Facilities Administration.
Iowa Department of Human Services. (2015, January). Consumer-Directed Attendant Care (CDAC) Provider Handbook.
Iowa Health & Human Services. Iowa Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Provider Application.
Joint Commission. Home care accreditation program.
Overview of home care in IA
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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