Respite Care in Irvine, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Irvine, CA: the local picture

33,599

residents 65 or older (11% of Irvine)

81%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Orange County)

182

Medicare-certified hospices serve Irvine ZIP codes

Most older adults in Irvine live with someone: 81% 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 8,839 Irvine residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (29% in Orange County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 182 hospices serving Irvine ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Irvine compared with Orange County and California

Census figure	Irvine	Orange County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	29%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	19%	20%	23%
Residents 65 or older	11%	16%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	2.2%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.9%	10%	12%
Households with no vehicle	5.3%	4.8%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$98,664	$84,615	—

Older residents in towns around Irvine

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Tustin, CA	4.3 mi	10,353	27%
Laguna Woods, CA	5.2 mi	14,373	33%
Lake Forest, CA	5.7 mi	12,776	26%
North Tustin, CA	6.0 mi	5,775	26%
Aliso Viejo, CA	7.3 mi	6,024	29%
Laguna Hills, CA	7.4 mi	6,169	26%

Hospices serving Irvine

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Salus Hospice	Irvine, CA	1.8 mi	(949) 390-7308
Carechoices Hospice And Palliative Services, LLC	Irvine, CA	3.2 mi	(949) 777-8600
Upwm Healthcare LLC	Irvine, CA	3.4 mi	(800) 970-5518
Heartford Hospice	Irvine, CA	3.4 mi	(949) 630-2764
Essence Hospice	Irvine, CA	3.4 mi	(949) 723-0585

Nursing homes near Irvine (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Regents Point - Windcrest	Irvine, CA	3.9 mi	4 of 5	59	(949) 509-2274
Foothill Regional Medical Center D/P SNF	Tustin, CA	5.0 mi	4 of 5	42	(714) 619-7700
Freedom Village Healthcare Center	Lake Forest, CA	5.6 mi	5 of 5	52	(949) 472-0277
Trabuco Hills Post Acute	Lake Forest, CA	5.7 mi	2 of 5	175	(949) 380-9380

Straight-line miles from the center of Irvine. 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 Irvine

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 $8,222 monthly median income of Irvine 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 Irvine: common questions

Which hospices serve Irvine?

Medicare lists 182 hospices for Irvine ZIP codes, including Salus Hospice, Carechoices Hospice And Palliative Services, LLC, Upwm Healthcare LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Irvine?

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 $8,222 monthly median income of Irvine 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 Irvine. 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 Irvine

More senior care near Irvine

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Irvine

More for Irvine 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 Irvine, CA