Southern Caregiver Resource Center is the State-funded caregiver center for San Diego and Imperial counties. Its respite program helps pay for in-home help, adult day care, or short-term or weekend care so the family caregiver gets a break. The State says no means test is required. Call 800-827-1008.
What else the caregiver center does
- Care planning and a needs assessment with the family.
- Short-term counseling and support groups.
- Legal and financial consultations, and caregiver education.
It serves family caregivers (a relative, partner or friend) of adults with conditions like dementia, stroke, Parkinson's or a brain injury.
The County's caregiver program
For caregivers of people 60+, the County says most services are free: respite and counseling through the caregiver center, legal help through Elder Law & Advocacy (858-565-1392), and minor home changes like grab bars through Interfaith Community Services in North County (760-504-4486).
On Medi-Cal?
The Medi-Cal plan's "Community Supports" include caregiver respite. Ask the plan: Blue Shield Promise 1-855-699-5557 · Community Health Group 1-800-224-7766 · Kaiser Permanente 1-855-839-7613 · Molina 1-888-665-4621. And IHSS can pay the family caregiver: how IHSS works.
Do it with PJ
The calls, the forms, the logins and the errands in between: PJ does the legwork with your family in Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff and Del Mar. He doesn't give medical, legal or benefits advice; the programs decide. Plans start as low as $25.
More: the care ladder · every senior waitlist · senior benefits checkup.
Sources: CDA, Caregiver Resource Centers · Southern Caregiver Resource Center · County of San Diego, Family Caregiver Support · County, Community Supports. Checked October 6, 2026.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25.
Questions people ask
Is there free respite care for caregivers in San Diego?
Southern Caregiver Resource Center offers respite help at low or no cost with no means test (800-827-1008), and the County says most of its caregiver services are free.
Who qualifies for caregiver respite in San Diego?
Family caregivers (a relative, partner or friend) of adults with chronic conditions such as dementia, stroke, Parkinson's or a brain injury.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.