Hospice Support in McFarland, CA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in McFarland, CA: the local picture

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve McFarland ZIP codes

123

residents 85 or older (0.9% of all residents)

19%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (23% in Kern County)

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Kern County)

Medicare lists 15 hospices whose service area includes McFarland ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Ardent Hospice Of The Valley in Delano (7.3 mi) and Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc in Bakersfield (23 mi).

199 McFarland residents 65 or older live alone (19% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

McFarland compared with Kern County and California

Census figure	McFarland	Kern County	California
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.2%	1.9%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	19%	23%	23%
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	37%	33%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	6.6%	9.3%	9.3%
Residents 65 or older	7.2%	12%	16%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	26%	15%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$26,318	$51,607	—

Older residents in towns around McFarland

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Delano, CA	7.1 mi	5,598	14%
Wasco, CA	9.2 mi	1,692	28%
Shafter, CA	13 mi	1,590	27%
Earlimart, CA	16 mi	695	19%
Rosedale, CA	19 mi	2,538	20%
Oildale, CA	20 mi	4,505	31%

Hospices serving McFarland

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Ardent Hospice Of The Valley	Delano, CA	7.3 mi	(661) 586-5729
Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc	Bakersfield, CA	23 mi	(661) 327-9800
Solace Hospice Care Inc	Bakersfield, CA	23 mi	(661) 843-7643
Ararat Hospice Care, Inc	Bakersfield, CA	23 mi	(661) 444-0871
Gentiva	Bakersfield, CA	25 mi	(661) 324-1232
Bristol Hospice - Bakersfield	Bakersfield, CA	25 mi	(661) 716-4000

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

What it covers

What a caregiver for hospice support can help with

Comfort, company and a calm presence
Gentle personal care and repositioning
Small meals and fluids as the person wants
Telling the hospice nurse about changes

Cost

What hospice support costs in McFarland

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 67% of the $2,193 monthly median income of McFarland households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in California: IHSS, VA, Paid Family Leave.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for hospice support

Under Medicare, hospice is for someone whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less and who chooses comfort care instead of treatment to cure the illness. Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care at home (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone at the end of life? How do you work with a hospice nurse? Can you sit overnight in the last days if needed? More in our hospice support guide.

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

Questions

Hospice Support in McFarland: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in McFarland?

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 67% of the $2,193 monthly median income of McFarland households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Who qualifies for hospice under Medicare?

Someone whose hospice doctor (and regular doctor, if they have one) certifies a life expectancy of six months or less, and who accepts comfort care instead of curative treatment (Medicare.gov).

More near McFarland

More senior care near McFarland

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in McFarland

More for McFarland 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 Hospice Support in McFarland, CA