Santa Ana, California

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Santa Ana, CA

Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Santa Ana for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A younger man supporting an older man's arm as they walk through a bright living room
Local figures

Nursing Assistants in Santa Ana, CA: the local picture

6+
Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles
891
certified beds in the 6 nearest nursing homes
$16.50
median hourly wage of home care aides in California (BLS, May 2025); now below the $16.90 minimum
$16.90
California minimum wage per hour

The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Santa Ana are South Coast Post Acute in Santa Ana (1.4 mi), Plaza Healthcare Center in Santa Ana (1.8 mi), South Coast Global Medical Center D/P SNF in Santa Ana (1.8 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).

Santa Ana has about 4,676 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.

Santa Ana compared with Orange County and California

Census figureSanta AnaOrange CountyCalifornia
Residents 85 or older1.5%2.2%1.9%
Residents 65+ with a disability31%29%33%
Residents 65 or older11%16%16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone13%20%23%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)14%10%12%
Households with no vehicle6.0%4.8%7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$69,900$84,615—

Older residents in towns around Santa Ana

TownDistanceResidents 65+Residents 85+
Orange, CA3.7 mi21,1802,487
Tustin, CA4.2 mi10,3531,155
Fountain Valley, CA4.3 mi11,6401,680
Costa Mesa, CA5.2 mi14,5771,993
Garden Grove, CA5.3 mi26,7083,599
North Tustin, CA5.4 mi5,775867

Nursing homes near Santa Ana

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
South Coast Post AcuteSanta Ana, CA1.4 mi2 of 5255(714) 546-6450
Plaza Healthcare CenterSanta Ana, CA1.8 mi1 of 5145(714) 546-1966
South Coast Global Medical Center D/P SNFSanta Ana, CA1.8 mi3 of 546(714) 754-5454
French Park Care CenterSanta Ana, CA1.9 mi1 of 5202(714) 973-1656
Citrus Post-AcuteSanta Ana, CA2.1 mi2 of 5144(714) 554-9700
Advanced Rehab Center Of TustinSanta Ana, CA2.5 mi1 of 599(714) 547-7091

Home health agencies serving Santa Ana

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Specialized Home Health ServicesCosta Mesa, CA4.2 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(818) 500-3929
Acacia Hh&P Of Southern California, LLCIrvine, CA4.8 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(949) 335-5515
24/7 Care At Home - Home HealthWestminster, CA6.5 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(714) 622-5334
1 & 1 Home Health, IncWestminster, CA6.5 mi5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(800) 940-7659

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

What it covers

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
Cost

What CNAs costs in Santa Ana

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 $5,825 monthly median income of Santa Ana 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 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.

Questions

Nursing Assistants in Santa Ana: common questions

What nursing homes are near Santa Ana?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are South Coast Post Acute in Santa Ana (1.4 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Plaza Healthcare Center in Santa Ana (1.8 mi, 1 of 5 overall); South Coast Global Medical Center D/P SNF in Santa Ana (1.8 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does CNAs cost in Santa Ana?

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 $5,825 monthly median income of Santa Ana 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 near Santa Ana

More senior care near Santa Ana

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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