Respite Care in Berkeley, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Berkeley, CA: the local picture

20,100

residents 65 or older (17% of Berkeley)

70%

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

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Alameda County)

46

Medicare-certified hospices serve Berkeley ZIP codes

Most older adults in Berkeley live with someone: 70% 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 5,380 Berkeley residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (31% in Alameda County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 46 hospices serving Berkeley ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Berkeley compared with Alameda County and California

Census figure	Berkeley	Alameda County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	31%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	23%	23%
Residents 65 or older	17%	15%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.9%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.9%	11%	12%
Households with no vehicle	21%	10%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$98,265	$80,351	—

Older residents in towns around Berkeley

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Emeryville, CA	1.9 mi	1,440	24%
Albany, CA	2.0 mi	3,063	20%
Kensington, CA	2.8 mi	1,216	19%
El Cerrito, CA	3.7 mi	5,363	26%
Piedmont, CA	4.8 mi	2,347	24%
East Richmond Heights, CA	5.5 mi	782	17%

Hospices serving Berkeley

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Asian Network Hospice, Inc	Oakland, CA	4.1 mi	(510) 268-1118
Kaiser Foundation Hospital Hospice-Oakland	Oakland, CA	4.4 mi	(510) 752-6390
Cherishaven Hospice	Alameda, CA	6.8 mi	(628) 224-5007
Sutter Care At Home	Alameda, CA	6.8 mi	(510) 263-0900
Ace Home Health Care & Hospice, Inc	Orinda, CA	6.9 mi	(925) 933-9012

Nursing homes near Berkeley (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Chaparral House	Berkeley, CA	0.5 mi	4 of 5	49	(510) 848-8774
Kyakameena Care Center	Berkeley, CA	1.6 mi	3 of 5	60	(510) 843-2131
Ashby Care Center	Berkeley, CA	1.7 mi	4 of 5	31	(510) 841-9494
Elmwood Care Center	Berkeley, CA	1.7 mi	3 of 5	74	(510) 665-2800

Straight-line miles from the center of Berkeley. 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 Berkeley

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 18% of the $8,189 monthly median income of Berkeley 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 Berkeley: common questions

Which hospices serve Berkeley?

Medicare lists 46 hospices for Berkeley ZIP codes, including Asian Network Hospice, Inc, Kaiser Foundation Hospital Hospice-Oakland, Cherishaven Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Berkeley?

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 18% of the $8,189 monthly median income of Berkeley 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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley

More senior care near Berkeley

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Berkeley

More for Berkeley 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 Berkeley, CA