Respite Care in Petaluma, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Petaluma, CA: the local picture

13,071

residents 65 or older (22% of Petaluma)

72%

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

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Sonoma County)

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve Petaluma ZIP codes

Most older adults in Petaluma live with someone: 72% 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 3,863 Petaluma residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (28% in Sonoma County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Petaluma ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Petaluma compared with Sonoma County and California

Census figure	Petaluma	Sonoma County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	28%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	28%	23%
Residents 65 or older	22%	22%	16%
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	2.5%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.9%	8.7%	12%
Households with no vehicle	5.2%	4.8%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$82,893	$78,329	—

Older residents in towns around Petaluma

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Cotati, CA	7.4 mi	1,199	39%
Rohnert Park, CA	8.3 mi	6,518	30%
El Verano, CA	8.4 mi	686	29%
Boyes Hot Springs, CA	9.0 mi	1,198	14%
Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente, CA	9.7 mi	441	26%
Sonoma, CA	9.7 mi	3,659	31%

Hospices serving Petaluma

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Anchor Health	Petaluma, CA	0.9 mi	(415) 598-0944
Providence At Home With Compassus Hospice Care, Sonoma County	Petaluma, CA	2.7 mi	(707) 778-6242
Sutter Care At Home	Santa Rosa, CA	16 mi	(707) 542-5045
By The Bay Health	Larkspur, CA	22 mi	(415) 927-2273
Mary's Help Hospice Services	Vallejo, CA	25 mi	(707) 645-7447

Nursing homes near Petaluma (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Vineyard Post Acute	Petaluma, CA	0.9 mi	3 of 5	99	(707) 763-4109
North Bay Post Acute	Petaluma, CA	1.2 mi	1 of 5	98	(707) 763-6887
Hillcrest Post Acute	Petaluma, CA	1.7 mi	4 of 5	59	(707) 778-8686
Petaluma Post-Acute Rehabilitation	Petaluma, CA	1.8 mi	5 of 5	90	(707) 765-3030

Straight-line miles from the center of Petaluma. 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 Petaluma

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 21% of the $6,908 monthly median income of Petaluma 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 Petaluma: common questions

Which hospices serve Petaluma?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Petaluma ZIP codes, including Anchor Health, Providence At Home With Compassus Hospice Care, Sonoma County, Sutter Care At Home.

How much does respite care cost in Petaluma?

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 21% of the $6,908 monthly median income of Petaluma 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 Petaluma. 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 Petaluma

More senior care near Petaluma

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Petaluma

More for Petaluma 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 Petaluma, CA