Respite Care in National City, 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 National City for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in National City, CA: the local picture
Most older adults in National City 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 3,164 National City residents aged 65 or older report a disability (37%) (31% in San Diego County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 90 hospices serving National City ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
National City compared with San Diego County and California
| Census figure | National City | San Diego County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 31% | 33% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 23% | 22% | 23% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 15% | 16% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.6% | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 18% | 9.5% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 11% | 5.5% | 7.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $43,701 | $78,324 | — |
Older residents in towns around National City
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coronado, CA | 3.5 mi | 4,201 | 26% |
| Bonita, CA | 5.3 mi | 3,158 | 24% |
| Chula Vista, CA | 5.5 mi | 36,991 | 36% |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 5.9 mi | 4,042 | 40% |
| La Presa, CA | 6.3 mi | 5,288 | 36% |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 6.8 mi | 3,157 | 35% |
Hospices serving National City
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Hospice Services Of San Diego LLC | San Diego, CA | 8.0 mi | (855) 848-5433 |
| Divine Light Hospice | San Diego, CA | 8.0 mi | (858) 276-7770 |
| Vista Community Hospice Inc | San Diego, CA | 8.0 mi | (760) 536-5442 |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital San Diego Hospice | San Diego, CA | 8.0 mi | (619) 641-4100 |
| Apreva Hospice | San Diego, CA | 8.0 mi | (619) 450-4414 |
Nursing homes near National City (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillcrest Manor Sanitarium | National City, CA | 0.2 mi | 4 of 5 | 98 | (619) 477-1176 |
| National City Post Acute | National City, CA | 0.3 mi | 3 of 5 | 98 | (619) 474-6741 |
| Castle Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | National City, CA | 1.4 mi | 4 of 5 | 99 | (619) 791-7900 |
| Friendship Manor Nursing & Rehab Center | National City, CA | 1.5 mi | 5 of 5 | 104 | (619) 791-7700 |
Straight-line miles from the center of National City. 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 National City
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 $3,642 monthly median income of National City 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 National City: common questions
Which hospices serve National City?
Medicare lists 90 hospices for National City ZIP codes, including Mission Hospice Services Of San Diego LLC, Divine Light Hospice, Vista Community Hospice Inc.
How much does respite care cost in National City?
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 $3,642 monthly median income of National City 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 National City. 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 National City
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Coronado, CA
- Respite Care in Bonita, CA
- Respite Care in Chula Vista, CA
- Respite Care in Lemon Grove, CA
- Respite Care in La Presa, CA
- Respite Care in Imperial Beach, CA
- Respite Care in Spring Valley, CA
- Respite Care in La Mesa, CA
- Respite Care in Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA
- Respite Care in San Diego, CA
- Respite Care in Rancho San Diego, CA
- Respite Care in El Cajon, CA
- Respite Care in Jamul, CA
- Respite Care in Bostonia, CA
- Respite Care in Santee, CA
- Respite Care in Granite Hills, CA
Other care in National City
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.
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