How to get certified parent caregiving help at home

As India’s population ages, more families are seeking reliable, professional, and certified caregiving help for their elderly parents. Hiring a trained caregiver ensures your loved ones receive compassionate and skilled support right at home. However, finding certified caregiving services in India can be confusing without guidance. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to identify and hire certified parent caregiving help at home, the types of certifications to look for, and trusted platforms that provide quality care services.

Why Certified Caregiving Help is Important

Hiring a certified caregiver ensures:

• Professional competence: Trained in elderly care, basic medical needs, and emergency handling.
• Safety assurance: Proper background verification and ethics training.
• Emotional support: Many certified caregivers are also trained in elder psychology and communication.
• Medical readiness: Certified professionals can monitor vitals and assist with medication management.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Certified Parent Caregiving Help

Assess Your Parent’s Needs

Start by identifying the type of care required—personal care, post-hospital recovery, dementia care, mobility support, or simply companionship. This helps in matching the right type of caregiver with the appropriate training.

Choose the Type of Caregiver

Based on needs, you may consider:

• General Caregivers: Assist with daily routines, meals, hygiene, and companionship.
• Nursing Assistants: Provide semi-medical support such as dressing wounds, checking BP, etc.
• Registered Nurses (RNs): Qualified for medical monitoring, injections, and post-operative care.

Look for Certification and Training

Always ensure the caregiver is certified. In India, look for the following credentials:

• NSDC Certification: From the National Skill Development Corporation, this ensures nationally recognised training in elder care.
• Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC): Offers training programs for General Duty Assistants and Home Health Aides.
• Red Cross India: Offers basic and advanced first aid and caregiver training.
• Hospital-based programs: Some hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, and Max offer certified caregiver training.

Choose a Trusted Agency or Platform

Instead of hiring independently, it's advisable to go through a professional caregiving agency. Reputed agencies carry out thorough background checks, verify certifications, and replace caregivers in case of emergency or unsuitability.

Here are some trusted caregiver service providers in India:

• 1. Portea Medical – Offers certified nursing attendants and elder care services.
• 2. Emoha Elder Care – NSDC-certified caregivers with 24/7 emergency assistance.
• 3. Care24 – Offers trained home nurses and general caregivers.
• 4. Life Circle Health Services – Provides trained caregivers for post-hospitalisation and long-term elder care.
• 5. Nightingales Home Health Services – Offers certified home nurses for elderly with chronic conditions.

Verify Documents and Background

Before finalising, ask for the caregiver’s:

• Government-issued ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc.)
• Training or certification documents
• Past employment records or references
• Police verification report (agencies usually provide this)

Interview and Trial Period

Conduct a short interview, either personally or via video call, to assess their communication skills, empathy, and experience. A 1-week trial period can help evaluate compatibility and professionalism before long-term engagement.

Estimated Cost of Certified Caregivers in India

Costs vary based on location, skill level, and hours of service:

• General caregiver (8-10 hrs/day): ₹15,000 – ₹22,000/month
• Certified GDA or nursing assistant (12 hrs/day): ₹22,000 – ₹35,000/month
• 24x7 live-in caregiver: ₹30,000 – ₹45,000/month
• Registered Nurse (medical care): ₹800 – ₹1,500/day or more

These prices may vary slightly by city and agency reputation.

Key Things to Discuss with the Agency or Caregiver

• Daily routine and responsibilities
• Emergency protocols and contact numbers
• Medication and diet plans
• Backup caregiver availability
• Leave policies and replacements

Tips for Smooth Integration of a Caregiver at Home

• Introduce the caregiver gently to your parent and allow time for bonding.
• Be clear about the roles, expectations, and limits from day one.
• Ensure your parent has some privacy and control over their routine.
• Regularly communicate with both caregiver and parent to get feedback.

Final Thoughts

Getting certified parent caregiving help at home is no longer a luxury in India—it’s a responsible choice for working families and NRIs. With many reputed agencies now offering trained and background-verified caregivers, it’s easier than ever to ensure your parents get the dignity, attention, and care they deserve. By understanding their needs, verifying caregiver credentials, and choosing a professional service, you can provide quality elderly care without compromising on safety or peace of mind.

Whether you live in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, or a Tier 2 city, there are now trained caregiving professionals available across most urban locations in India.

Start early, choose wisely, and give your parents the support they need to age with dignity at home.