Respite Care in Union City, CA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Union City, CA: the local picture

13,101

residents 65 or older (19% of Union City)

88%

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

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Alameda County)

50

Medicare-certified hospices serve Union City ZIP codes

Most older adults in Union City live with someone: 88% 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 4,190 Union City residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (31% in Alameda County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 50 hospices serving Union City ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Union City compared with Alameda County and California

Census figure	Union City	Alameda County	California
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	31%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	12%	23%	23%
Residents 65 or older	19%	15%	16%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	1.9%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	11%	12%
Households with no vehicle	5.9%	10%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$78,790	$80,351	—

Older residents in towns around Union City

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hayward, CA	4.9 mi	22,896	35%
Fairview, CA	5.4 mi	2,192	34%
Newark, CA	6.8 mi	6,131	32%
Cherryland, CA	7.0 mi	2,186	40%
Castro Valley, CA	7.7 mi	12,214	24%
San Lorenzo, CA	8.2 mi	5,177	39%

Hospices serving Union City

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Kaiser Foundation Hospital Hospice-Hayward	Union City, CA	1.9 mi	(510) 675-5777
Essentials Hospice	Hayward, CA	3.6 mi	(510) 861-8705
Meridian Hospice	Newark, CA	4.6 mi	(510) 573-3866
Affinity Hospice Care, Inc	Hayward, CA	4.8 mi	(510) 519-9285
Best Hospice Provider, Inc.	Hayward, CA	4.8 mi	(510) 783-4468

Nursing homes near Union City (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Masonic Home	Union City, CA	0.5 mi	4 of 5	125	(510) 471-3434
Niles Canyon Post Acute	Fremont, CA	3.5 mi	5 of 5	73	(510) 793-3000
Mission Valley Post Acute	Fremont, CA	3.7 mi	4 of 5	85	(510) 793-7222
We Care Skilled Nursing - Fremont	Fremont, CA	3.7 mi	3 of 5	99	(510) 797-5300

Straight-line miles from the center of Union City. 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 Union 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 22% of the $6,566 monthly median income of Union 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.

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 Union City: common questions

Which hospices serve Union City?

Medicare lists 50 hospices for Union City ZIP codes, including Kaiser Foundation Hospital Hospice-Hayward, Essentials Hospice, Meridian Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Union 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 22% of the $6,566 monthly median income of Union 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 Union 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 near Union City

More senior care near Union City

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Union City

More for Union City 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 Union City, CA