Respite Care in McFarland, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in McFarland, CA: the local picture

1,028

residents 65 or older (7.2% of McFarland)

81%

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

29%

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

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve McFarland ZIP codes

Most older adults in McFarland 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 295 McFarland residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (37% in Kern County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving McFarland ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

McFarland compared with Kern County and California

Census figure	McFarland	Kern County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	37%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	19%	23%	23%
Residents 65 or older	7.2%	12%	16%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.2%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	26%	15%	12%
Households with no vehicle	6.0%	6.7%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$26,318	$51,607	—

Older residents in towns around McFarland

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Delano, CA	7.1 mi	5,598	28%
Wasco, CA	9.2 mi	1,692	29%
Shafter, CA	13 mi	1,590	36%
Earlimart, CA	16 mi	695	45%
Rosedale, CA	19 mi	2,538	36%
Oildale, CA	20 mi	4,505	45%

Hospices serving McFarland

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Ardent Hospice Of The Valley	Delano, CA	7.3 mi	(661) 586-5729
Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc	Bakersfield, CA	23 mi	(661) 327-9800
Solace Hospice Care Inc	Bakersfield, CA	23 mi	(661) 843-7643
Ararat Hospice Care, Inc	Bakersfield, CA	23 mi	(661) 444-0871
Gentiva	Bakersfield, CA	25 mi	(661) 324-1232

Nursing homes near McFarland (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Adventist Health Delano	Delano, CA	6.5 mi	2 of 5	51	(661) 721-5591
Valley View Care Center	Delano, CA	6.6 mi	2 of 5	53	(661) 725-2501
Delano District Skilled Nursing Facility	Delano, CA	6.6 mi	1 of 5	141	(661) 720-2100
Shafter Nursing Care	Shafter, CA	11 mi	4 of 5	99	(661) 746-3912

Straight-line miles from the center of McFarland. 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 McFarland

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 67% of the $2,193 monthly median income of McFarland 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 McFarland: common questions

Which hospices serve McFarland?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for McFarland ZIP codes, including Ardent Hospice Of The Valley, Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc, Solace Hospice Care Inc.

How much does respite care cost in McFarland?

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 67% of the $2,193 monthly median income of McFarland 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 McFarland. 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 McFarland

More senior care near McFarland

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in McFarland

More for McFarland 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 McFarland, CA