How to Get 24-Hour Care for Seniors at Home

As India's population continues to age, more families are exploring options to care for their elderly loved ones at home. For seniors who need continuous support, 24-hour home care is becoming a popular alternative to moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility. It allows them to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving dedicated attention for their health and daily needs.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about arranging 24-hour care for seniors at home in India—from types of services available to how to hire trustworthy caregivers.

What is 24-Hour Elderly Care at Home?

24-hour care means round-the-clock assistance, either by a single live-in caregiver or a team working in shifts, ensuring the senior receives help any time of day or night. This is ideal for seniors who:

• Have chronic health conditions
• Are recovering from surgery or illness
• Suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s
• Need help with mobility, hygiene, and medication
• Face a high risk of falls or injuries

Types of 24-Hour Home Care Services

There are mainly two ways to provide 24-hour care at home:

Live-In Caregiver (One Person)

A single caregiver stays in the home 24x7, providing support during the day and being on-call at night. They usually work for 5–6 days a week and may need a few hours of rest during the day. This setup works well if the senior sleeps through the night or needs minimal nighttime support.

Pros:

• More cost-effective
• Builds a strong bond with the senior

Cons:

• Caregiver may be overburdened
• Limited flexibility for emergencies

Caregiver Shifts (Two or More People)

Two or three caregivers work in shifts (typically 12 hours) to cover the full 24-hour period. This ensures that the senior receives full attention both during the day and at night.

Pros:

• Alert, well-rested caregivers
• Continuous attention

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Coordination between shifts is necessary

Services Provided in 24-Hour Home Care

Most Indian Best Caregiver Services at Home providers offer a combination of medical and non-medical support, such as:

• Personal hygiene (bathing, grooming, toileting)
• Feeding assistance
• Mobility support
• Monitoring vital signs
• Administering medications
• Companionship and emotional support
• Light housekeeping
• Physiotherapy (if needed)
• Palliative or end-of-life care (for terminal illness)

Some agencies also offer nurse-led care if the senior has complex medical needs like ventilator support, catheter care, or wound management.

How to Find Reliable 24-Hour Care Services in India

Assess the Level of Care Needed

Make a list of the senior’s daily needs. Do they need help only with household tasks, or do they also have medical requirements? You may consult with a doctor or a geriatric care manager for a full assessment.

Choose Between an Agency or Individual Caregiver

You can either:

• Hire through a registered home care agency (more reliable, vetted caregivers, backup support)
• Hire an independent caregiver (cost-effective but requires more background checks)

Verify Credentials and Background

Ensure that the caregiver:

• Has training in elderly care or nursing
• Can communicate in the preferred language
• Has experience with seniors who have similar conditions
• Has police verification and references

Conduct an Interview

Shortlist a few candidates and involve the senior in the interview. Observe how the caregiver interacts, communicates, and responds to questions.

Start With a Trial Period

Begin with a 3–7 day trial to check compatibility and the quality of care. Some agencies also offer hourly or part-time services to begin with.

Costs of 24-Hour Senior Home Care in India

The cost depends on the level of care, location, and provider. Here’s a general range (as of 2025):

• Live-in caregiver (non-medical): ₹25,000 – ₹40,000/month
• Live-in nurse (with medical skills): ₹40,000 – ₹60,000/month
• Two-shift caregivers (12 hours each): ₹50,000 – ₹80,000/month
• Nursing care with equipment (ventilator, etc.): ₹70,000 – ₹1.5 lakh/month

Metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai have higher rates compared to smaller towns.

Top Home Care Providers in India

Several reputed agencies provide 24-hour Elderly Care Services across Indian cities:

• Portea Medical (pan-India)
• Zorgers (Delhi, Chandigarh, Ludhiana)
• HealthCare atHOME (HCAH) (Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and others)
• Nightingales Home Health Services (Bangalore, Hyderabad)
• Anvayaa (Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru)
• Caretouch or Care24 (Mumbai, Pune)

Tips for Managing 24-Hour Care at Home

• Create a care plan: Schedule medication times, meal plans, exercise, and sleep routines.
• Install safety measures: Handrails, anti-slip mats, CCTV cameras, emergency alarms.
• Stay involved: Regularly check in on the senior and the caregiver’s performance.
• Rotate caregivers periodically: This avoids burnout and maintains high-quality care.
• Utilise tech: Use medical alert systems, remote monitoring apps, and GPS for dementia care.

Benefits of 24-Hour In-Home Care

• Personalised attention: One-on-one care tailored to your loved one’s needs
• Familiar environment: Reduces stress, especially for dementia patients
• More dignity and independence
• Involvement of family members
• Cost-effective for long-term care compared to hospitals

Conclusion

Arranging 24-hour care for seniors at home in India is now more accessible than ever. With the rise of trained caregivers and professional agencies, families can ensure their elderly members receive compassionate, continuous support right from the comfort of their home. Whether it’s companionship or critical medical attention, the key is to plan carefully, assess needs thoroughly, and choose a provider that aligns with your expectations and budget.

Your loved one’s golden years deserve dignity, safety, and comfort—and 24-hour in-home care offers just that.