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As a company that works with NRIs frequently, we hear a lot about the emotional rollercoaster that comes with trying to make the right decision for homecare for family back in India. It’s not just the overwhelming number of options—it’s also the fear of not being there for oversight, the worry that something will go wrong in terms of safety or health, and the painful constant back-and-forth of organising service providers, managing replacements and just ensuring continuity and peace for your parents.
When health issues, mobility problems, or just the normal process of ageing come into play, you naturally want to ensure your parents or elderly relatives get the support they need, and preferably in the comfort of their own homes. The good news is, with the right information and a little help from the right people, you can find homecare solutions that fit your family's needs and give you peace of mind.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different homecare options available in India, key things to consider when deciding what would be a good fit, common challenges, and how Nila can help you manage everything from a distance—whether your family lives in Chennai, Mumbai, or a smaller city.
Homecare has come a long way in India, and the options available now mean there’s likely something suited for every family situation. Here’s a look at the main types of homecare services you can consider, depending on your parents' needs:
If your parents are generally independent or quite aged but free of a medical condition that needs regular treatment, but need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or even just companionship, a basic caregiver could be just what they need. These caregivers are trained to assist with everyday tasks, maintain hygiene, keep up general activity and lighten the load, giving your parents more freedom and dignity as they continue to live at home. It’s important to keep in mind that caregiving is completely different from having help with cleaning or cooking.
For those dealing with more serious medical conditions that require prolonged care, hospitalization is often not a long term option. The same applies to medical support after a medical procedure. In such instances, home nursing can be a huge relief. A trained nurse can help with medication, wound care, monitoring vital signs, managing medical equipment and post-surgery recovery—all from the comfort of home. They are also often trained for life support in sudden emergencies, which could come up in particularly critical cases. The extent and expertise typically varies from general nursing, for situations that require medication, injections or IV setups, wound care, etc. all the way to critical care nursing, in case of more serious and chronic conditions that require ventilation or continuous oxygen support and constant monitoring. The choice should ideally be made in consultation with a doctor.
Let’s face it—getting to a clinic or hospital can be challenging, especially if mobility is an issue. With doctor-at-home services, medical professionals come to your parents' doorstep for regular check-ups or specific treatments. It’s a convenient solution for when your parent is facing some trouble that’s not too serious but warrants a quick check up, or in instances where stepping out is impossible. Keep in mind though, that most doctors that offer home visits are likely to be general practitioners and not specialists.
If your parents are recovering from surgery or facing mobility challenges, physiotherapy at home can make a world of difference. Physiotherapists work one-on-one with your parents in a familiar environment, helping them regain strength, improve mobility, and manage pain. From stroke recovery to arthritis, personalized therapy sessions at home can accelerate healing while allowing your parents to stay in their comfort zone. Physiotherapy often requires multiple sessions under the guidance of a trained therapist, and so having this option available at home can improve the compliance and effectiveness of treatment.
In some cases, specialised equipment is needed for home care—things like oxygen concentrators, hospital beds, or even ventilators. Instead of having to go to a hospital, many of these devices can be rented or purchased for home use, ensuring your parents get the care they need without leaving their living space. Having access to such equipment at home can drastically improve their quality of life, especially for those with chronic health conditions or limited mobility.
For families dealing with serious, life-limiting illnesses, palliative or hospice care can provide much-needed comfort. This type of care focuses on pain relief, emotional support, and dignity, making the last stages of life as comfortable as possible for your loved ones.
If your parents are struggling with memory issues, it’s critical to find caregivers who are trained in dementia care. They not only provide physical assistance but also create a safe, structured environment that includes activities to keep your parents mentally engaged.
Start with the basics—what kind of care do your parents need? Are they active but managing a chronic illness, do they need extensive medical care or do they just need assistance with basic activities and help around the house? This will help you decide whether to hire a caregiver, a nurse, or someone with more specialised skills.
How independent are your parents right now? Do they just need a hand with hygiene from time to time, or do they require someone around the clock? Is there a risk of a medical emergency at night when support of neighbours would be hard to get? Understanding their level of independence is key to choosing the right duration of care they’ll need - whether round the clock or just during the day or night.
Do you have other family members or neighbours nearby who can drop in to check on your parents, or is it entirely up to professional caregivers? If you don’t have family support on the ground, it might be worth considering full-time care, and spending a little more to work with a highly professional company that can ensure continuity at all times.
Costs for homecare services can vary widely. Full-time nursing and specialized care can be expensive, while basic caregiving is more affordable. Look into whether your parents have insurance that covers any of these costs, and plan accordingly.
If your family is in a large metro like Mumbai or Chennai, you’ll likely have plenty of homecare options. But if your parents live in a smaller city, the choices may be more limited. It’s important to know what’s available in their area before making any decisions. Some larger companies may be willing to transfer staff from a nearby larger city, but you may have to opt for round-the-clock care in that case.
When you start searching for homecare providers in India, you’ll find that the industry is quite diverse. Here’s what you can expect:
This is still a very common option in India—hiring local caregivers recommended by neighbours or friends or poached from hospitals. While this can be a cheaper option, these caregivers are often untrained and come with no formal accountability. If something goes wrong, it’s difficult to take action. A caregiver may come highly recommended and if you decide on this route, be sure to implement enough safety measures at home in the form of home monitoring devices and a trusted network of well-wishers nearby.
These are independent agencies that provide caregivers, nurses, or part-time help. They offer more reliability than informal networks but might not have the resources for around-the-clock or highly specialised care. These agencies are typically very common in most tier 1, 2 and 3 cities, and so you’ll most likely have several options to choose from. However, like most small set-ups, reliability may still be questionable and you may have to work with multiple agencies before finding the right one.
These companies offer a range of professional services, from basic caregiving to advanced medical care, along with all the allied services such as medical equipment, physiotherapy and doctors. While they tend to be more expensive, you can generally expect trained professionals, complete background verification and a higher standard of service. There are fewer options to choose from and coverage is not as extensive as smaller agencies, but you can expect to find them in most tier 1 cities in India such as Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad and many tier 2 cities as well.
Even with all these options, there are still some challenges that NRIs commonly face when coordinating homecare from abroad:
Communication and Geographical Barriers: Keeping in touch with caregivers can be tricky, especially if there are time zone differences or language barriers. In addition, the coordination with multiple service providers and making payments to them all is likely to be very painful given the time and distance differences.
Quality Control: Ensuring consistent, high-quality care can be difficult, especially when you’re far away. Distance makes effective assessment difficult.
Availability in Smaller Cities: If your parents are in a Tier 2 city, finding reliable homecare might require more effort.
Managing Multiple Services: If your parents need a mix of services (e.g., a nurse, a caregiver, and a doctor), it can be hard to juggle everything from a distance.
We understand how hard it is to coordinate care for your loved ones when you’re living abroad, and our care concierge services are designed to take the stress off your shoulders. Whether your parents need basic caregiving, medical support, or even physiotherapy and medical equipment at home, we take charge of organising all of it for you.
Customized Care Plans: We tailor our services to meet your parents' specific needs, from daily caregiving to medical care.
Care Managers: A dedicated care manager oversees everything, ensuring your parents get the care they need, when they need it.
Trusted Professionals: We only work with verified, trained professionals and partners, so you can rest easy knowing your parents are in good hands.
We take charge not only of finding you a vetted service provider, but manage the headache of replacements, payments and any other specific requests that come up. We hold our service partners strongly accountable to the services they deliver.
24/7 Support: No matter where you are, Nila offers round-the-clock support for any emergencies or concerns.
Choosing homecare for your parents in India is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By considering their health, independence, and your family’s unique situation, you can find a solution that works for everyone. And with a service like Nila by your side, managing your parents’ care from afar can become a lot easier.
Your parents deserve the best, and we’re here to make sure they get it, while giving you the peace of mind you need.
