Respite Care in Bakersfield, CA for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bakersfield, CA: the local picture

46,672

residents 65 or older (11% of Bakersfield)

78%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Kern County)

136

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bakersfield ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bakersfield live with someone: 78% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 16,889 Bakersfield residents aged 65 or older report a disability (37%) (37% in Kern County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 136 hospices serving Bakersfield ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Bakersfield compared with Kern County and California

Census figure	Bakersfield	Kern County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	37%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	22%	23%	23%
Residents 65 or older	11%	12%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.2%	1.2%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	15%	12%
Households with no vehicle	7.4%	6.7%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,937	$51,607	—

Older residents in towns around Bakersfield

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Old Stine, CA	0.6 mi	399	39%
Benton Park, CA	0.7 mi	559	55%
Rexland Acres, CA	4.0 mi	202	26%
La Cresta, CA	4.1 mi	1,051	46%
East Bakersfield, CA	4.1 mi	762	48%
Potomac Park, CA	4.2 mi	718	41%

Hospices serving Bakersfield

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
American Hospice Care, Inc	Bakersfield, CA	1.3 mi	(661) 304-9373
Bristol Hospice - Bakersfield	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(661) 716-4000
Lenus Care LLC	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(800) 552-6054
Gentiva	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(661) 324-1232
American Compassionate Hospice Care Inc	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(661) 619-1271

Nursing homes near Bakersfield (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Valley Healthcare Center	Bakersfield, CA	1.3 mi	1 of 5	87	(661) 334-2200
Rosewood Health Facility	Bakersfield, CA	1.4 mi	4 of 5	79	(661) 834-0620
Parkview Julian Healthcare Center	Bakersfield, CA	2.3 mi	1 of 5	99	(661) 831-9150
The Orchards Post-Acute	Bakersfield, CA	2.7 mi	2 of 5	150	(661) 327-7687

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

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in Bakersfield

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 29% of the $4,995 monthly median income of Bakersfield 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 respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Respite Care in Bakersfield: common questions

Which hospices serve Bakersfield?

Medicare lists 136 hospices for Bakersfield ZIP codes, including American Hospice Care, Inc, Bristol Hospice - Bakersfield, Lenus Care LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Bakersfield?

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 29% of the $4,995 monthly median income of Bakersfield 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).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Bakersfield. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide How to get paid to care for a family member in California: IHSS, VA, Paid Family Leave covers California.

More near Bakersfield

More senior care near Bakersfield

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bakersfield

More for Bakersfield 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.

Respite Care in Bakersfield, CA