Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Santa Barbara, 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 Barbara for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Santa Barbara, CA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Santa Barbara are The Californian in Santa Barbara (1.9 mi), Mission Park Healthcare Center in Santa Barbara (1.9 mi), Samarkand Skilled Nursing Facility in Santa Barbara (2.0 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 Barbara has about 3,173 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Santa Barbara compared with Santa Barbara County and California
| Census figure | Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 3.6% | 2.3% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 27% | 30% | 33% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 17% | 16% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 31% | 26% | 23% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 9.8% | 9.5% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.9% | 5.9% | 7.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $83,371 | $81,399 | — |
Older residents in towns around Santa Barbara
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecito, CA | 4.7 mi | 3,021 | 471 |
| Eastern Goleta Valley, CA | 4.9 mi | 6,940 | 990 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara, CA | 7.6 mi | 79 | 0 |
| Isla Vista, CA | 8.4 mi | 326 | 30 |
| Goleta, CA | 8.6 mi | 5,293 | 751 |
| Carpinteria, CA | 12 mi | 3,174 | 206 |
Nursing homes near Santa Barbara
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Californian | Santa Barbara, CA | 1.9 mi | 5 of 5 | 68 | (805) 682-1355 |
| Mission Park Healthcare Center | Santa Barbara, CA | 1.9 mi | 5 of 5 | 138 | (805) 682-7443 |
| Samarkand Skilled Nursing Facility | Santa Barbara, CA | 2.0 mi | 5 of 5 | 63 | (805) 687-0701 |
| Valle Verde Health Facility | Santa Barbara, CA | 2.5 mi | 5 of 5 | 80 | (805) 883-4000 |
| Channel Islands Post Acute | Santa Barbara, CA | 3.4 mi | 3 of 5 | 156 | (805) 687-6651 |
| Casa Dorinda | Santa Barbara, CA | 4.6 mi | 4 of 5 | 52 | (805) 969-8051 |
Home health agencies serving Santa Barbara
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra Care Home Health Sfv Inc. | Calabasas, CA | 63 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (818) 609-8884 |
| Access Tlc Home Health Care | San Fernando, CA | 73 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (818) 551-1900 |
| Assisted Home Health | Santa Barbara, CA | 1.2 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (805) 569-2000 |
| Hand In Heart Home Health Inc | Ventura, CA | 29 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (805) 814-8911 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara
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 21% of the $6,948 monthly median income of Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara: common questions
What nursing homes are near Santa Barbara?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are The Californian in Santa Barbara (1.9 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Mission Park Healthcare Center in Santa Barbara (1.9 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Samarkand Skilled Nursing Facility in Santa Barbara (2.0 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Santa Barbara?
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 21% of the $6,948 monthly median income of Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Montecito, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Eastern Goleta Valley, CA
- Nursing Assistants in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Isla Vista, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Goleta, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Carpinteria, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Oak View, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Mira Monte, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Meiners Oaks, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Santa Ynez, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Ojai, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Solvang, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Ventura, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Buellton, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Channel Islands Beach, CA
- Nursing Assistants in Oxnard, CA
Other care in Santa Barbara
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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