Attendant, nurse, or care manager: what does your parent need?

These three roles get confused constantly, and families often pay for the wrong one. Here's a plain explanation of what each does, so you can match the role to your parent's actual needs.

The home attendant

An attendant provides non-medical daily living support: bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, medication reminders, and company. They are trained caregivers, not nurses. This is what most families need first, and it's the most affordable option, typically ₹15,000–25,000 a month.

Choose an attendant if: your parent is largely stable but needs help with everyday tasks, supervision, or simply isn't safe alone all day.

The home nurse

A qualified ANM or GNM nurse provides skilled clinical care: injections, wound dressing, catheter and tube care, post-operative recovery, and chronic-condition management. They cost more, usually ₹25,000–45,000 a month, because of their training and the nature of the work.

Choose a nurse if: there are medical procedures involved, your parent is recovering from surgery, or a doctor has recommended clinical monitoring.

The care manager

A care manager doesn't usually deliver hands-on care, they oversee and coordinate it. They build the care plan, supervise the attendant or nurse, manage doctor appointments and medicines, handle emergencies, and keep the family informed. Think of them as the single accountable person responsible for your parent's wellbeing.

Choose a care manager if: you're far away (especially abroad), juggling siblings and decisions, or you simply want one person accountable rather than managing caregivers yourself.

A simple way to decide

Your situation	Likely fit
Parent needs help with daily tasks, no medical procedures	Attendant
Injections, wounds, post-surgery, chronic clinical needs	Nurse
You're abroad or want one accountable person	Care manager (plus attendant/nurse)
Parent is independent but you want peace of mind	Care manager / check-in plan