Respite Care in La Cresta, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in La Cresta, CA: the local picture

1,051

residents 65 or older (13% of La Cresta)

77%

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

46%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Kern County)

55

Medicare-certified hospices serve La Cresta ZIP codes

Most older adults in La Cresta live with someone: 77% 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 486 La Cresta residents aged 65 or older report a disability (46%) (37% in Kern County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 55 hospices serving La Cresta ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

La Cresta compared with Kern County and California

Census figure	La Cresta	Kern County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	37%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	23%	23%	23%
Residents 65 or older	13%	12%	16%
Residents 85 or older	0.5%	1.2%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.0%	15%	12%
Households with no vehicle	9.8%	6.7%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,205	$51,607	—

Older residents in towns around La Cresta

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
East Bakersfield, CA	1.3 mi	762	48%
Hillcrest, CA	2.2 mi	1,129	30%
Potomac Park, CA	2.7 mi	718	41%
Oildale, CA	3.2 mi	4,505	45%
Bakersfield, CA	4.1 mi	46,672	37%
Benton Park, CA	4.2 mi	559	55%

Hospices serving La Cresta

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Aasta Hospice	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(661) 523-3686
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of California	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(714) 921-2273
Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(661) 327-9800
Saviors Of Hope Hospice	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(661) 310-3500
Ararat Hospice Care, Inc	Bakersfield, CA	1.7 mi	(661) 444-0871

Nursing homes near La Cresta (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Height Street Skilled Care	Bakersfield, CA	1.1 mi	2 of 5	99	(661) 748-1300
San Joaquin Nursing Center And Rehabilitation Cent	Bakersfield, CA	1.2 mi	3 of 5	99	(661) 323-2894
The Rehabilitation Center Of Bakersfield	Bakersfield, CA	1.3 mi	1 of 5	160	(661) 872-2121
The Orchards Post-Acute	Bakersfield, CA	1.5 mi	2 of 5	150	(661) 327-7687

Straight-line miles from the center of La Cresta. 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 La Cresta

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 $3,684 monthly median income of La Cresta 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 La Cresta: common questions

Which hospices serve La Cresta?

Medicare lists 55 hospices for La Cresta ZIP codes, including Aasta Hospice, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of California, Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in La Cresta?

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 $3,684 monthly median income of La Cresta 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 La Cresta. 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 La Cresta

More senior care near La Cresta

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in La Cresta

More for La Cresta 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 La Cresta, CA