Respite Care in Isla Vista, CA
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Isla Vista for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Isla Vista, CA: the local picture
Most older adults in Isla Vista live with someone: 7.7% 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 132 Isla Vista residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (30% in Santa Barbara County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Isla Vista ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Isla Vista compared with Santa Barbara County and California
| Census figure | Isla Vista | Santa Barbara County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 40% | 30% | 33% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 92% | 26% | 23% |
| Residents 65 or older | 2.3% | 17% | 16% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.2% | 2.3% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 20% | 9.5% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 15% | 5.9% | 7.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $32,097 | $81,399 | — |
Older residents in towns around Isla Vista
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Barbara, CA | 0.9 mi | 79 | 32% |
| Goleta, CA | 1.6 mi | 5,293 | 26% |
| Eastern Goleta Valley, CA | 4.8 mi | 6,940 | 25% |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 8.4 mi | 18,046 | 27% |
| Montecito, CA | 13 mi | 3,021 | 20% |
| Santa Ynez, CA | 20 mi | 1,065 | 30% |
Hospices serving Isla Vista
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Hospice And Palliative Care Inc | Santa Barbara, CA | 7.7 mi | (888) 415-4159 |
| Vna Health | Santa Barbara, CA | 10 mi | (805) 965-5555 |
| Aceso Hospice, Inc | Ventura, CA | 29 mi | (818) 655-0502 |
| Assisted Home Hospice | Ventura, CA | 38 mi | (805) 677-7400 |
| Dignity Health Hospice | Santa Maria, CA | 50 mi | (805) 739-3830 |
Nursing homes near Isla Vista (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Care Center | Santa Barbara, CA | 3.3 mi | 2 of 5 | 150 | (805) 964-4871 |
| Valle Verde Health Facility | Santa Barbara, CA | 6.4 mi | 5 of 5 | 80 | (805) 883-4000 |
| Channel Islands Post Acute | Santa Barbara, CA | 6.6 mi | 3 of 5 | 156 | (805) 687-6651 |
| Mission Park Healthcare Center | Santa Barbara, CA | 7.5 mi | 5 of 5 | 138 | (805) 682-7443 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Isla Vista. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Isla Vista
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 55% of the $2,675 monthly median income of Isla Vista 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.
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.
Respite Care in Isla Vista: common questions
Which hospices serve Isla Vista?
Medicare lists 8 hospices for Isla Vista ZIP codes, including Santa Barbara Hospice And Palliative Care Inc, Vna Health, Aceso Hospice, Inc.
How much does respite care cost in Isla Vista?
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 55% of the $2,675 monthly median income of Isla Vista 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 Isla Vista. 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 senior care near Isla Vista
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA
- Respite Care in Goleta, CA
- Respite Care in Eastern Goleta Valley, CA
- Respite Care in Santa Barbara, CA
- Respite Care in Montecito, CA
- Respite Care in Santa Ynez, CA
- Respite Care in Solvang, CA
- Respite Care in Carpinteria, CA
- Respite Care in Buellton, CA
- Respite Care in Oak View, CA
- Respite Care in Mira Monte, CA
- Respite Care in Meiners Oaks, CA
- Respite Care in Ojai, CA
- Respite Care in Ventura, CA
- Respite Care in Mission Hills, CA
- Respite Care in Lompoc, CA
Other care in Isla Vista
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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.
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