In-Home Care for Veterans in Big Bear Lake, CA

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Big Bear Lake, CA: the local picture

242

veterans aged 65 or older (22% of residents 65+)

1,082

residents 65 or older (21% of Big Bear Lake)

17%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in San Bernardino County)

33%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (20% in San Bernardino County)

About 242 Big Bear Lake residents aged 65 or older are veterans (22% of that age group; 13% in San Bernardino County), out of 408 veterans of all adult ages in town.

17% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (37% in San Bernardino County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Big Bear Lake compared with San Bernardino County and California

Census figure	Big Bear Lake	San Bernardino County	California
Residents 65+ who are veterans	22%	13%	11%
Residents 65+ with a disability	17%	37%	33%
Residents 65 or older	21%	13%	16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	20%	23%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	9.5%	24%	22%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.8%	13%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$71,938	$61,795	—

Older residents in towns around Big Bear Lake

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Big Bear City, CA	5.6 mi	2,720	18%
Running Springs, CA	12 mi	844	19%
Lucerne Valley, CA	14 mi	1,214	16%
Lake Arrowhead, CA	16 mi	2,719	18%
Yucaipa, CA	17 mi	8,728	16%
Mentone, CA	18 mi	1,272	14%

Hospitals near Big Bear Lake

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Bear Valley Community Hospital	Big Bear Lake, CA	0.8 mi	not rated	(909) 866-6501
Mountains Community Hospital	Lake Arrowhead, CA	18 mi	not rated	(909) 336-3651
Redlands Community Hospital	Redlands, CA	22 mi	2 of 5	(909) 335-5500

Straight-line miles from the center of Big Bear Lake. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care costs in Big Bear Lake

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 24% of the $5,995 monthly median income of Big Bear Lake 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 caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Big Bear Lake: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Big Bear Lake?

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 24% of the $5,995 monthly median income of Big Bear Lake 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 the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Big Bear Lake

More senior care near Big Bear Lake

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Big Bear Lake

More for Big Bear Lake 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.