Respite Care in Chowchilla, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Chowchilla, CA: the local picture

1,898

residents 65 or older (10.0% of Chowchilla)

60%

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

41%

of residents 65+ report a disability (39% in Madera County)

18

Medicare-certified hospices serve Chowchilla ZIP codes

Most older adults in Chowchilla live with someone: 60% 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 573 Chowchilla residents aged 65 or older report a disability (41%) (39% in Madera County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 18 hospices serving Chowchilla ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Chowchilla compared with Madera County and California

Census figure	Chowchilla	Madera County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	41%	39%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	21%	23%
Residents 65 or older	10.0%	14%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.5%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	14%	12%
Households with no vehicle	9.9%	5.0%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,362	$64,480	—

Older residents in towns around Chowchilla

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Madera Acres, CA	11 mi	1,484	44%
Planada, CA	13 mi	573	29%
Madera, CA	13 mi	6,515	50%
Parksdale, CA	17 mi	279	51%
Merced, CA	18 mi	9,545	46%
Firebaugh, CA	22 mi	963	33%

Hospices serving Chowchilla

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Bristol Hospice-California, LLC	Merced, CA	18 mi	(209) 384-1415
Fresno Hospice	Fresno, CA	30 mi	(209) 727-2470
Compassionate Care Hospice Central California, LLC	Fresno, CA	30 mi	(559) 432-2003
Bristol Hospice Fresno	Fresno, CA	30 mi	(559) 320-4000
Hinds Hospice - Fresno	Fresno, CA	30 mi	(559) 320-0310

Nursing homes near Chowchilla (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Palms Care Center	Chowchilla, CA	1.6 mi	3 of 5	65	(559) 665-4826
Chowchilla Memorial Healthcare District	Chowchilla, CA	1.6 mi	4 of 5	29	(559) 665-3781
Madera Care Center	Madera, CA	14 mi	4 of 5	64	(559) 673-9278
Madera Rehabilitation & Nursing Center	Madera, CA	15 mi	1 of 5	176	(559) 673-9228

Straight-line miles from the center of Chowchilla. 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 Chowchilla

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 39% of the $3,780 monthly median income of Chowchilla 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 Chowchilla: common questions

Which hospices serve Chowchilla?

Medicare lists 18 hospices for Chowchilla ZIP codes, including Bristol Hospice-California, LLC, Fresno Hospice, Compassionate Care Hospice Central California, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Chowchilla?

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 39% of the $3,780 monthly median income of Chowchilla 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 Chowchilla. 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 Chowchilla

More senior care near Chowchilla

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Chowchilla

More for Chowchilla 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 Chowchilla, CA