Respite Care in Madera, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Madera, CA: the local picture

6,515

residents 65 or older (9.6% of Madera)

77%

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

50%

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

33

Medicare-certified hospices serve Madera ZIP codes

Most older adults in Madera 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 3,132 Madera residents aged 65 or older report a disability (50%) (39% in Madera County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 33 hospices serving Madera ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Madera compared with Madera County and California

Census figure	Madera	Madera County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	50%	39%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	23%	21%	23%
Residents 65 or older	9.6%	14%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	1.5%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	21%	14%	12%
Households with no vehicle	7.8%	5.0%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,581	$64,480	—

Older residents in towns around Madera

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Madera Acres, CA	3.3 mi	1,484	44%
Parksdale, CA	3.8 mi	279	51%
Bonadelle Ranchos, CA	11 mi	828	27%
Madera Ranchos, CA	12 mi	777	44%
Chowchilla, CA	13 mi	1,898	41%
Kerman, CA	17 mi	1,610	43%

Hospices serving Madera

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Lenity Hospice LLC	Fresno, CA	17 mi	(559) 825-0606
Compassionate Care Hospice Central California, LLC	Fresno, CA	17 mi	(559) 432-2003
Bristol Hospice Fresno	Fresno, CA	17 mi	(559) 320-4000
Hinds Hospice - Fresno	Fresno, CA	17 mi	(559) 320-0310
Fresno Hospice	Fresno, CA	17 mi	(209) 727-2470

Nursing homes near Madera (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Madera Care Center	Madera, CA	1.0 mi	4 of 5	64	(559) 673-9278
Madera Rehabilitation & Nursing Center	Madera, CA	2.0 mi	1 of 5	176	(559) 673-9228
Palms Care Center	Chowchilla, CA	15 mi	3 of 5	65	(559) 665-4826
Chowchilla Memorial Healthcare District	Chowchilla, CA	15 mi	4 of 5	29	(559) 665-3781

Straight-line miles from the center of Madera. 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 Madera

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 41% of the $3,548 monthly median income of Madera 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 Madera: common questions

Which hospices serve Madera?

Medicare lists 33 hospices for Madera ZIP codes, including Lenity Hospice LLC, Compassionate Care Hospice Central California, LLC, Bristol Hospice Fresno.

How much does respite care cost in Madera?

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 41% of the $3,548 monthly median income of Madera 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 Madera. 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 Madera

More senior care near Madera

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Madera

More for Madera 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 Madera, CA