Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Palm Desert, CA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Palm Desert for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Palm Desert, CA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Palm Desert are The Springs Healthcare Center At The Carlotta in Palm Desert (1.5 mi), Monterey Palms Health Care Center in Palm Desert (1.7 mi), Rancho Mirage Health And Rehabilitation Center in Rancho Mirage (2.5 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).
Palm Desert has about 3,028 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Palm Desert compared with Riverside County and California
| Census figure | Palm Desert | Riverside County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 5.8% | 1.7% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 29% | 35% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 38% | 15% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 29% | 21% | 23% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 9.1% | 11% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.9% | 4.3% | 7.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $70,471 | $65,477 | — |
Older residents in towns around Palm Desert
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Wells, CA | 3.3 mi | 2,759 | 317 |
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 4.2 mi | 9,243 | 1,261 |
| Bermuda Dunes, CA | 4.4 mi | 1,513 | 251 |
| Desert Palms, CA | 4.8 mi | 5,546 | 1,046 |
| Thousand Palms, CA | 5.4 mi | 1,677 | 161 |
| Indio, CA | 7.4 mi | 17,133 | 1,545 |
Nursing homes near Palm Desert
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Springs Healthcare Center At The Carlotta | Palm Desert, CA | 1.5 mi | 5 of 5 | 59 | (760) 610-0295 |
| Monterey Palms Health Care Center | Palm Desert, CA | 1.7 mi | 3 of 5 | 99 | (760) 776-7700 |
| Rancho Mirage Health And Rehabilitation Center | Rancho Mirage, CA | 2.5 mi | 3 of 5 | 99 | (760) 340-0053 |
| Desert Springs Post Acute | Palm Desert, CA | 4.4 mi | 1 of 5 | 178 | (760) 341-0261 |
| Bayshire Rancho Mirage | Rancho Mirage, CA | 4.6 mi | 4 of 5 | 45 | (760) 340-5999 |
| Desert Mountain Care Center | Indio, CA | 7.7 mi | 3 of 5 | 99 | (760) 347-0750 |
Home health agencies serving Palm Desert
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazing Health Home Care Inc | Palm Desert, CA | 1.3 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (760) 565-6061 |
| Suncrest Home Health Services Inc | Chino, CA | 78 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (909) 399-1122 |
| Mission Home Health Palm Desert | Palm Desert, CA | 2.3 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (760) 834-8501 |
| Angelicare Home Health Inc | Chino, CA | 78 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (909) 464-2273 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Palm Desert. 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 Palm Desert
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 25% of the $5,873 monthly median income of Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert: common questions
What nursing homes are near Palm Desert?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are The Springs Healthcare Center At The Carlotta in Palm Desert (1.5 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Monterey Palms Health Care Center in Palm Desert (1.7 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Rancho Mirage Health And Rehabilitation Center in Rancho Mirage (2.5 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Palm Desert?
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 25% of the $5,873 monthly median income of Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Indian Wells, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Rancho Mirage, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Desert Palms, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Thousand Palms, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Indio, CA
- Nursing Assistants in La Quinta, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Cathedral City, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Palm Springs, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Coachella, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Desert Edge, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Garnet, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Desert Hot Springs, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Oasis, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Mecca, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA
Other care in Palm Desert
- Companion Care in Palm Desert
- Dementia Care in Palm Desert
- Respite Care in Palm Desert
- Live-In Caregivers in Palm Desert
- Post-Surgery Care in Palm Desert
- Senior Transportation in Palm Desert
- Home Health Aides in Palm Desert
- Personal Care in Palm Desert
- Overnight Caregivers in Palm Desert
- 24-Hour Home Care in Palm Desert
- Mobility Assistance in Palm Desert
- Parkinson’s Care in Palm Desert
- Stroke Recovery Support in Palm Desert
- Disability Care for Adults in Palm Desert
- Hospice Support in Palm Desert
- Senior Meal Preparation in Palm Desert
- Senior Housekeeping in Palm Desert
- Medication Reminders in Palm Desert
- Veterans’ Home Care in Palm Desert
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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