Respite Care in Imperial, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Imperial, CA: the local picture

2,045

residents 65 or older (9.5% of Imperial)

74%

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

55%

of residents 65+ report a disability (47% in Imperial County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Imperial ZIP codes

Most older adults in Imperial live with someone: 74% 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 1,110 Imperial residents aged 65 or older report a disability (55%) (47% in Imperial County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Imperial ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Imperial compared with Imperial County and California

Census figure	Imperial	Imperial County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	55%	47%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	21%	23%
Residents 65 or older	9.5%	14%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	1.6%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	24%	19%	12%
Households with no vehicle	2.2%	6.1%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,000	$36,563	—

Older residents in towns around Imperial

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
El Centro, CA	3.7 mi	6,189	47%
Heber, CA	7.8 mi	625	29%
Brawley, CA	10.0 mi	3,053	55%
Holtville, CA	11 mi	991	31%
Calexico, CA	12 mi	6,377	48%
Calipatria, CA	23 mi	665	44%

Hospices serving Imperial

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Imperial Valley	El Centro, CA	3.4 mi	(760) 352-8905
Aria Hospice LLC	El Centro, CA	3.4 mi	(760) 412-5574
Accentcare Hospice Of California Inc	El Centro, CA	3.4 mi	(760) 675-3030
Los Robles Healthcare SD	San Diego, CA	88 mi	(858) 487-8778
Uni Care Hospice Inc	Escondido, CA	89 mi	(760) 566-3345

Nursing homes near Imperial (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Imperial Manor	Imperial, CA	0.2 mi	4 of 5	31	(760) 355-2858
El Centro Post-Acute Care	El Centro, CA	4.2 mi	3 of 5	123	(760) 352-8471
Pioneers Memorial Skilled Nursing Center	Brawley, CA	9.2 mi	1 of 5	99	(760) 344-5431

Straight-line miles from the center of Imperial. 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 Imperial

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 35% of the $4,167 monthly median income of Imperial 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 Imperial: common questions

Which hospices serve Imperial?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Imperial ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Imperial Valley, Aria Hospice LLC, Accentcare Hospice Of California Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Imperial?

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 35% of the $4,167 monthly median income of Imperial 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 Imperial. 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 Imperial

More senior care near Imperial

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Imperial

More for Imperial 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 Imperial, CA