Hospice Support in San Diego, CA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in San Diego, CA: the local picture

201

Medicare-certified hospices serve San Diego ZIP codes

24,168

residents 85 or older (1.7% of all residents)

24%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (22% in San Diego County)

31%

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

Medicare lists 201 hospices whose service area includes San Diego ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Suncrest Hospice San Diego in San Diego (1.2 mi) and Bristol Hospice - San Diego in San Diego (1.2 mi).

47,720 San Diego residents 65 or older live alone (24% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

San Diego compared with San Diego County and California

Census figure	San Diego	San Diego County	California
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.8%	1.9%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	22%	23%
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	31%	33%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.4%	8.3%	9.3%
Residents 65 or older	15%	15%	16%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	9.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$80,124	$78,324	—

Older residents in towns around San Diego

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
La Mesa, CA	7.3 mi	9,437	33%
Lemon Grove, CA	8.2 mi	4,042	22%
Santee, CA	9.1 mi	9,812	24%
El Cajon, CA	10 mi	15,161	21%
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA	10 mi	4,223	18%
La Presa, CA	10 mi	5,288	17%

Hospices serving San Diego

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Suncrest Hospice San Diego	San Diego, CA	1.2 mi	(818) 434-2414
Bristol Hospice - San Diego	San Diego, CA	1.2 mi	(888) 976-0396
Blessed Hospice California Inc	San Diego, CA	1.2 mi	(858) 430-6656
Anchor Hospice & Palliative Care	San Diego, CA	1.2 mi	(714) 463-6528
Avalon Hospice & Palliative Care	San Diego, CA	1.2 mi	(858) 751-0315
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of California	San Diego, CA	1.2 mi	(858) 499-8901

Straight-line miles from the center of San Diego. 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 San Diego

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 22% of the $6,677 monthly median income of San Diego 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 San Diego: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in San Diego?

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 22% of the $6,677 monthly median income of San Diego 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 San Diego

More senior care near San Diego

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in San Diego

More for San Diego 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 San Diego, CA