Finding and hiring
Questions to ask before hiring a home attendant or nurse
The exact questions to ask a home-care agency or individual caregiver in India — verification, training, replacement, costs and emergency response.
The difference between a good home-care arrangement and a bad one is usually decided in the first conversation. Families who ask specific questions get specific answers — and specific answers can be checked. Families who ask “so are your people verified?” get a yes, which tells you nothing.
Ask every shortlisted agency the same questions, in the same order, and write the answers down. The comparison is the point.
About verification
- What exactly do you verify? You are listening for three things: government photo ID, address proof, and local police verification. Ask who does the police check and whether you will receive the acknowledgement number.
- Can I see the caregiver’s ID myself? Reputable agencies show it during onboarding. If they refuse, ask why.
- Do you re-check when a caregiver returns after a break? Verification goes stale; people move, names change, records change.
- How many previous families can I speak to, and may I call them directly? “Directly” is the operative word. The agency should give you numbers, not pass on your number and wait.
About training and fit
- What training does this caregiver have, and for which tasks? Ask for the specific course or experience, not a general claim. For nursing, ask for the qualification and the State Nursing Council registration number, and verify it yourself.
- Has they handled a situation like ours? Say the situation out loud — a person with confusion who wanders at night, a bedridden parent, a post-surgery recovery. The answer tells you whether you are being matched or merely assigned.
- What languages do they speak, and have they spoken to my parent yet? A two-minute call settles more than a week of assumptions.
- Are they comfortable with our household rules? Vegetarian cooking, pets, a shared bathroom, no visitors. Say it early; narrowing the pool now is kinder than a mismatch later.
About money
- What is included in the monthly figure? Listen for salary, agency fee, travel, food, accommodation, phone and festival travel. Ask which of these you pay and which the agency pays.
- Is there a registration or onboarding fee, and is it refundable? Get the refund condition in writing before you pay.
- When is payment due, and to whom? A fixed date and a bank account in the caregiver’s or agency’s own name keep everyone honest.
- What is not included? Nurses’ visits, physiotherapy, equipment and medicines are usually separate. Knowing this prevents a nasty surprise in week two.
About when things go wrong
- If the caregiver does not turn up, how many days until a replacement? Ask for a number of days, not “as soon as possible”.
- Who do I call at 2am, and does that person actually answer? Ask for the name and the number. Note whether the answer is a person or a call centre.
- What happens if my parent and the caregiver do not get along? You are listening for a replacement without blame, not a defence of the placement.
- Is there any insurance covering injury inside the home? The honest answer may be no — you want to know which risks you are carrying.
One question families rarely ask
“What will you do if my parent refuses care on a bad day?” The answer reveals whether the agency understands older adults as people. Refusal is normal, especially in the first fortnight. You want a caregiver who backs off, returns with a task the person already wants help with, and tells you about it — not one who argues or reports the refusal as a problem.
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FAQ
Common questions
How do I know if an agency is legitimate?
It has a physical office you can visit, it tells you its verification process without being asked twice, it gives a written fee sheet with every component itemised, and it names a person who answers when you call with a problem. Avoid anyone who only communicates through a messaging app and asks for a large registration fee up front.
Should I ask these questions in writing?
Yes. Ask the same six to eight questions of every shortlisted agency and put the answers side by side. Written answers are what you will point to later; verbal promises are what people forget.
What if the agency will not share ID proof or references?
Walk away. ID and references are the minimum, and an agency that withholds them is telling you what its verification looks like.
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