Bangalore · Decision guide
Most families overspend or underspend in the first two weeks because nobody explains the difference. This is the difference — clearly, honestly, with examples.
Reviewed by Sister Mary George, B.Sc Nursing, Care DirectorLast updated May 2026
The rule, in one paragraph
Hire a nurse when there are clinical procedures — wounds, IV, catheters, tube feeds, chest tubes, vitals you can’t miss. Hire a caretaker when daily living needs help — hygiene, meals, mobility, medication reminders, companionship. Hire a trained attendant when there’s skilled physical handling — bedridden, post-stroke, repositioning. Many families need a combination, and that’s usually the most cost-effective answer.
The three roles
Licensed nurse (GNM / B.Sc Nursing) trained for procedural medical work and clinical observation.
Experienced caregiver focused on hygiene, feeding, mobility, medication reminders, and companionship.
Skilled in safe transfers, repositioning, pressure-sore prevention — the work bedridden and post-stroke patients need.
Capability comparison
The honest version of the table — including where roles overlap, and where they don’t.
| Capability | Nurse | Caretaker | Trained Attendant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wound dressing & IV care | |||
| Catheter, NG/PEG tube management | Limited | ||
| Vitals monitoring (BP, SpO₂, glucose) | Limited | Limited | |
| Medication administration & oversight | Limited | Limited | |
| Doctor handoffs & clinical log | |||
| Bathing, hygiene & grooming | Limited | ||
| Feeding, meal prep, swallow safety | Limited | ||
| Mobility, walking, light exercise | Limited | ||
| Companionship & emotional support | Limited | ||
| Safe transfers (bed–chair, chair–toilet) | Limited | Limited | |
| Repositioning & pressure-sore prevention | Limited | Limited | |
| Bedridden patient handling | Limited |
Real situations
If your situation looks like one of these, you’re probably looking at the right answer next to it. If it doesn’t — call us. We’ll work it through with you.
Situation
Mother, 72, type-2 diabetes and mild forgetfulness. Lives alone.
Recommended
Caretaker (live-in)
No active medical procedures. Daily companionship, meals, medication reminders, and safety supervision matter most.
Explore this serviceSituation
Father, 67, post-bypass surgery. Discharged today with chest tube and prescriptions.
Recommended
Nurse + caretaker (combined)
A nurse for wound care and chest-tube monitoring; a caretaker for meals, mobility, and hygiene. Two roles, one coordinated team.
Explore this serviceSituation
Aunt, 78, bedridden after stroke, has a feeding tube.
Recommended
Trained attendant (live-in)
Skilled physical handling — repositioning, feeding tube, transfers. A general caretaker isn’t equipped; a nurse is rarely needed daily.
Explore this serviceSituation
Husband recovering from a fracture, mobile but slow.
Recommended
Caretaker (12-hour day shift)
Daytime companionship, mobility help, light cooking. No clinical needs. Wife or family covers nights.
Explore this serviceSituation
Mother undergoing chemotherapy, with weekly IV port flush.
Recommended
Caretaker daily + nurse weekly
A caretaker manages day-to-day; a visiting nurse handles the port and flags fever or low counts.
Explore this serviceSituation
Parent with advanced dementia, occasional aggression.
Recommended
Trained attendant or specialist caretaker
Behavioural management is the main work. Choose a caretaker with verified dementia experience, not a clinical nurse.
Explore this serviceCost at a glance
A quick reference. Final pricing depends on the patient’s complexity and the caregiver’s experience level.
Live-in caretaker
₹18,000–₹26,000
/ mo
Live-in trained attendant
₹24,000–₹34,000
/ mo
Live-in nurse
₹35,000–₹55,000
/ mo
Visit nurse (per visit)
₹600–₹1,200
/ visit
See the full breakdown on the home nursing cost guide.
Frequently asked
Tell us the situation. We’ll recommend the right role — nurse, caretaker, attendant, or a combination — and start the matching process the same day.
