Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Merced, CA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Merced for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Merced, CA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Merced are Merced Nursing & Rehabilitation Ctr in Merced (0.3 mi), La Sierra Care Center in Merced (0.3 mi), Golden Merced Care Center in Merced (0.5 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in California earn a median $16.50 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). That May 2025 figure is below today's $16.90 California minimum wage, so current pay starts at least there. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Merced has about 964 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Merced compared with Merced County and California
| Census figure | Merced | Merced County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 1.0% | 1.3% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 46% | 40% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 10% | 12% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 26% | 24% | 23% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 16% | 16% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.9% | 7.3% | 7.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $44,092 | $44,830 | — |
Older residents in towns around Merced
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin, CA | 3.3 mi | 1,046 | 115 |
| McSwain, CA | 6.0 mi | 564 | 24 |
| Atwater, CA | 7.4 mi | 3,993 | 600 |
| Planada, CA | 8.7 mi | 573 | 80 |
| Winton, CA | 9.4 mi | 1,127 | 154 |
| Livingston, CA | 15 mi | 1,537 | 142 |
Nursing homes near Merced
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced Nursing & Rehabilitation Ctr | Merced, CA | 0.3 mi | 4 of 5 | 79 | (209) 723-2911 |
| La Sierra Care Center | Merced, CA | 0.3 mi | 3 of 5 | 68 | (209) 723-4224 |
| Golden Merced Care Center | Merced, CA | 0.5 mi | 3 of 5 | 121 | (209) 723-1056 |
| Franciscan Post-Acute Care Center | Merced, CA | 1.1 mi | 4 of 5 | 71 | (209) 722-6231 |
| Merced Behavioral Center | Merced, CA | 1.1 mi | 5 of 5 | 96 | (209) 723-8814 |
| Anberry Post Acute | Merced, CA | 2.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 120 | (209) 783-9200 |
Home health agencies serving Merced
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atta Home Healthcare | Modesto, CA | 36 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (510) 598-6355 |
| Caringhand Home Health Solutions, Inc | Sacramento, CA | 100 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (916) 476-3205 |
| Telfair Home Health Care | Glendale, CA | 249 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (818) 539-5244 |
| Mercy Home Care | Merced, CA | 0.9 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (209) 564-4320 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Merced. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Merced
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 40% of the $3,674 monthly median income of Merced 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Merced: common questions
What nursing homes are near Merced?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Merced Nursing & Rehabilitation Ctr in Merced (0.3 mi, 4 of 5 overall); La Sierra Care Center in Merced (0.3 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Golden Merced Care Center in Merced (0.5 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Merced?
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 40% of the $3,674 monthly median income of Merced 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).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Merced
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Franklin, CA
- Nursing Assistants in McSwain, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Atwater, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Planada, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Winton, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Le Grand, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Livingston, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Chowchilla, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Delhi, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Hilmar-Irwin, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Denair, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Dos Palos, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Turlock, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Los Banos, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Waterford, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Gustine, CA
Other care in Merced
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.
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