Hiring a caregiver, attendant or nurse for parents in India

Attendant, trained caregiver, nurse or physiotherapist: who does what, agency or direct hire, what to check, and how to manage home care from abroad.

By the Athnova Care team · Updated 2026-09-29

Who does what

Role	Typical work	When families hire one
Attendant / patient-care helper	Help with bathing, dressing, toilet, walking, feeding, company	After a fall or surgery; frailty; dementia
Trained caregiver (GDA)	The above, plus taking readings, giving medicines as prescribed, basic care of a bedridden person	Long-term care at home
Nurse (GNM or BSc)	Injections, wound dressing, catheter and feeding-tube care, as ordered by the doctor	After hospital discharge; complex medical needs
Physiotherapist	Exercise and mobility sessions at home	After fractures, joint replacement, stroke

Agency or direct hire

An agency costs more and gives you a replacement when the caregiver is ill or leaves, a background check, and someone to complain to. A direct hire costs less and gives you continuity — if you find the right person — but you carry the risk of absence yourself. From abroad, most families are better served by an agency, at least at first.

Questions to ask an agency

How do you verify identity and address, and do you do a police verification?
What training has this person had, and for which conditions?
What happens if the caregiver does not come one morning?
Is it a 12-hour or 24-hour shift, and what rest and food must we provide?
What is the notice period and the replacement policy?
Are there charges beyond the daily rate?

Before the first day

Keep copies of the caregiver’s ID and the agency agreement.
Write the routine down: medicines, meals, exercises, what to do in an emergency.
Put valuables and cash away. It protects everyone, including the caregiver.
Introduce the caregiver to the neighbours and the building staff.

Managing from abroad

Ask for a short daily update at a fixed time.
Keep your own line to your parent. The daily check-in should be answered by your parent, not by the helper.
Pay on time and treat the caregiver with respect. Good caregivers stay where they are treated well.
Ask a relative to visit unannounced now and then.

When home care is not enough

If your parent needs two people to move, wanders at night or needs medical attention several times a day, discuss assisted living or a care home with the family and the doctor.

Questions families ask

What is a GDA?

General Duty Assistant: a trained patient-care worker who helps with daily activities and basic care. A GDA is not a nurse.

Does Athnova Care provide caregivers?

No. We provide the daily check-in, follow-up calls, alerts and coordination. For hands-on help, use a home-care agency as well.

Athnova Care tracks and coordinates care. It does not diagnose, prescribe or replace a doctor. In a medical emergency in India call 112.