Respite Care in Firebaugh, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Firebaugh, CA: the local picture

963

residents 65 or older (11% of Firebaugh)

82%

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

33%

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

21

Medicare-certified hospices serve Firebaugh ZIP codes

Most older adults in Firebaugh live with someone: 82% 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 322 Firebaugh residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (39% in Fresno County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 21 hospices serving Firebaugh ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Firebaugh compared with Fresno County and California

Census figure	Firebaugh	Fresno County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	39%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	18%	24%	23%
Residents 65 or older	11%	13%	16%
Residents 85 or older	0.4%	1.4%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	14%	12%
Households with no vehicle	9.0%	7.0%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,452	$55,987	—

Older residents in towns around Firebaugh

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Mendota, CA	7.8 mi	1,066	23%
Dos Palos, CA	13 mi	1,257	38%
Chowchilla, CA	22 mi	1,898	41%
Madera, CA	22 mi	6,515	50%
San Joaquin, CA	23 mi	274	53%
Madera Acres, CA	23 mi	1,484	44%

Hospices serving Firebaugh

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of California	Fresno, CA	34 mi	(559) 603-8100
Compassionate Care Hospice Central California, LLC	Fresno, CA	34 mi	(559) 432-2003
Bristol Hospice Fresno	Fresno, CA	34 mi	(559) 320-4000
Hinds Hospice - Fresno	Fresno, CA	34 mi	(559) 320-0310
Aseracare Hospice	Fresno, CA	38 mi	(559) 447-2540

Nursing homes near Firebaugh (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Palms Care Center	Chowchilla, CA	21 mi	3 of 5	65	(559) 665-4826
Chowchilla Memorial Healthcare District	Chowchilla, CA	21 mi	4 of 5	29	(559) 665-3781
Madera Care Center	Madera, CA	22 mi	4 of 5	64	(559) 673-9278
Madera Rehabilitation & Nursing Center	Madera, CA	24 mi	1 of 5	176	(559) 673-9228

Straight-line miles from the center of Firebaugh. 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 Firebaugh

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 40% of the $3,621 monthly median income of Firebaugh 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 Firebaugh: common questions

Which hospices serve Firebaugh?

Medicare lists 21 hospices for Firebaugh ZIP codes, including Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of California, Compassionate Care Hospice Central California, LLC, Bristol Hospice Fresno.

How much does respite care cost in Firebaugh?

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 40% of the $3,621 monthly median income of Firebaugh 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 Firebaugh. 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 Firebaugh

More senior care near Firebaugh

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Firebaugh

More for Firebaugh 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 Firebaugh, CA