Respite Care in Chico, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Chico, CA: the local picture

14,532

residents 65 or older (14% of Chico)

64%

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

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Butte County)

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Chico ZIP codes

Most older adults in Chico live with someone: 64% 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 4,509 Chico residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (33% in Butte County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 7 hospices serving Chico ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Chico compared with Butte County and California

Census figure	Chico	Butte County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	33%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	28%	23%
Residents 65 or older	14%	18%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.7%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	11%	12%
Households with no vehicle	7.1%	6.0%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$62,131	$58,573	—

Older residents in towns around Chico

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Durham, CA	9.1 mi	1,461	20%
Paradise, CA	11 mi	3,026	22%
Magalia, CA	12 mi	1,694	36%
Orland, CA	20 mi	1,158	25%
Thermalito, CA	21 mi	1,121	47%
Corning, CA	23 mi	822	26%

Hospices serving Chico

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Butte Home Health Hospice	Chico, CA	1.7 mi	(916) 895-0462
Enloe Medical Center Hospice	Chico, CA	4.0 mi	(530) 332-6060
Valley View Hospice & Palliative Care, LLC	Chico, CA	4.0 mi	(530) 206-8259
Freedom Home Health And Hospice Care Services, Inc	Marysville, CA	44 mi	(530) 844-2755
Adventist Health Home Care Services	Yuba City, CA	46 mi	(530) 673-7101

Nursing homes near Chico (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Autumn Creek Post Acute	Chico, CA	1.7 mi	1 of 5	184	(530) 345-1306
Chico Terrace Care Center	Chico, CA	1.8 mi	2 of 5	76	(530) 343-6084
Oakwood Healthcare Center	Chico, CA	1.8 mi	1 of 5	99	(530) 343-5595
Arbor Post Acute	Chico, CA	1.9 mi	1 of 5	144	(530) 342-4885

Straight-line miles from the center of Chico. 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 Chico

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 28% of the $5,178 monthly median income of Chico 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 Chico: common questions

Which hospices serve Chico?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Chico ZIP codes, including Butte Home Health Hospice, Enloe Medical Center Hospice, Valley View Hospice & Palliative Care, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Chico?

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 28% of the $5,178 monthly median income of Chico 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 Chico. 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 Chico

More senior care near Chico

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Chico

More for Chico 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 Chico, CA