Respite stays
A respite stay is a short stay in a licensed care home, often one to four weeks. Families use it after a hospital stay or surgery, when the caregiver needs rest or has to travel, or as a trial run before a move. Homes usually charge by the day, and openings change week to week, so call early.
In-home care
In-home caregivers help with bathing, dressing, meals, rides and company, for a few hours a week up to around the clock. In California, home care agencies must be licensed by the Department of Social Services, and their caregivers must be on the state's Home Care Aide Registry.
- Licensed agencies in the Fresno area charge around $30 to $36 an hour. Many set a minimum number of hours per visit.
- Independent caregivers can cost less (Care.com lists an average near $21 an hour in Fresno), but you become the employer.
- Medi-Cal members may qualify for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) through Fresno County.
When a care home makes more sense
Home care is great for a few hours a day. It gets expensive fast when someone needs help around the clock:
| Around-the-clock help | Rough monthly cost |
|---|---|
| In-home care, 24 hours a day at about $30 an hour | about $21,000+ |
| Board and care home in Fresno | from about $3,700 |
| Assisted living in Fresno | about $5,100 to $6,600 |
That gap is why many families move a parent into a small board and care home once nights get unsafe.
Making home safer
Grab bars, a ramp, a walk-in shower and better lighting prevent a lot of falls. Nick also owns a Fresno contracting company that does this kind of work, so ask us if you want it done right.
Tell us what’s going on. We will lay out the choices for your family, including staying home, and what each one costs.
Updated September 2026 by Shaun and Nick, co-founders of CalValley Senior Living Advisors.