Respite Care in San Rafael, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in San Rafael, CA: the local picture

12,299

residents 65 or older (20% of San Rafael)

67%

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

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (24% in Marin County)

17

Medicare-certified hospices serve San Rafael ZIP codes

Most older adults in San Rafael live with someone: 67% 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 3,246 San Rafael residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (24% in Marin County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 17 hospices serving San Rafael ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

San Rafael compared with Marin County and California

Census figure	San Rafael	Marin County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	24%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	30%	23%
Residents 65 or older	20%	24%	16%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	2.8%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.4%	7.5%	12%
Households with no vehicle	8.7%	4.9%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$104,265	$107,563	—

Older residents in towns around San Rafael

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Santa Venetia, CA	1.7 mi	1,238	38%
Larkspur, CA	3.1 mi	3,268	26%
Ross, CA	3.2 mi	491	16%
Corte Madera, CA	3.4 mi	1,892	18%
San Anselmo, CA	3.4 mi	2,745	18%
Kentfield, CA	4.2 mi	1,766	25%

Hospices serving San Rafael

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
By The Bay Health	Larkspur, CA	3.5 mi	(415) 927-2273
Madrona Hospice Care Inc	San Rafael, CA	5.6 mi	(628) 243-0550
Sutter Care At Home	San Francisco, CA	14 mi	(415) 749-4201
Anchor Health	Petaluma, CA	20 mi	(415) 598-0944
Cherishaven Hospice	Alameda, CA	20 mi	(628) 224-5007

Nursing homes near San Rafael (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Marin Post Acute	San Rafael, CA	1.7 mi	2 of 5	168	(415) 479-3450
San Rafael Healthcare & Wellness Center, LP	San Rafael, CA	1.8 mi	2 of 5	54	(415) 456-7170
The Tamalpais	Greenbrae, CA	2.7 mi	5 of 5	52	(415) 461-2300
Pine Ridge Care Center	San Rafael, CA	2.8 mi	5 of 5	101	(415) 479-3610

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

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 17% of the $8,689 monthly median income of San Rafael 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 Rafael: common questions

Which hospices serve San Rafael?

Medicare lists 17 hospices for San Rafael ZIP codes, including By The Bay Health, Madrona Hospice Care Inc, Sutter Care At Home.

How much does respite care cost in San Rafael?

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 17% of the $8,689 monthly median income of San Rafael 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 Rafael. 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 Rafael

More senior care near San Rafael

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in San Rafael

More for San Rafael 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 Rafael, CA