Respite Care in San Clemente, CA for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in San Clemente, CA: the local picture

13,543

residents 65 or older (21% of San Clemente)

78%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Orange County)

87

Medicare-certified hospices serve San Clemente ZIP codes

Most older adults in San Clemente live with someone: 78% 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 3,531 San Clemente residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (29% in Orange County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 87 hospices serving San Clemente ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

San Clemente compared with Orange County and California

Census figure	San Clemente	Orange County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	29%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	22%	20%	23%
Residents 65 or older	21%	16%	16%
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	2.2%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.3%	10%	12%
Households with no vehicle	3.1%	4.8%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$99,896	$84,615	—

Older residents in towns around San Clemente

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
San Juan Capistrano, CA	4.3 mi	7,561	29%
Dana Point, CA	5.0 mi	7,300	26%
Rancho Mission Viejo, CA	5.4 mi	2,119	25%
Ladera Ranch, CA	7.1 mi	1,678	18%
Laguna Niguel, CA	7.5 mi	14,372	22%
Las Flores, CA	9.3 mi	330	8.5%

Hospices serving San Clemente

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
West Coast Healthcare, LLC	San Juan Capistrano, CA	4.8 mi	(949) 270-3770
Cabrillo Hospice	San Juan Capistrano, CA	4.8 mi	(858) 345-3267
California Mission Hospice, LLC	Laguna Hills, CA	11 mi	(949) 829-9888
Parentis Hospice	Laguna Beach, CA	11 mi	(949) 305-2716
Memorialcare Hospice And Palliative Services	Laguna Hills, CA	11 mi	(949) 460-1500

Nursing homes near San Clemente (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Capistrano Beach Care Center	Dana Point, CA	2.1 mi	1 of 5	93	(949) 496-5786
San Juan Hills Healthcare Center	San Juan Capistrano, CA	4.3 mi	4 of 5	45	(949) 248-8855
Orchards Skilled Nursing	Rancho Mission Viejo, CA	8.0 mi	5 of 5	49	(949) 443-8900
Palm Terrace Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center	Laguna Hills, CA	12 mi	3 of 5	99	(949) 587-9000

Straight-line miles from the center of San Clemente. 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 San Clemente

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 18% of the $8,325 monthly median income of San Clemente 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 San Clemente: common questions

Which hospices serve San Clemente?

Medicare lists 87 hospices for San Clemente ZIP codes, including West Coast Healthcare, LLC, Cabrillo Hospice, California Mission Hospice, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in San Clemente?

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 18% of the $8,325 monthly median income of San Clemente 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 San Clemente. 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 San Clemente

More senior care near San Clemente

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in San Clemente

More for San Clemente 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 San Clemente, CA