Here’s a comprehensive guide to hiring a trained nurse at home for elderly patients, especially tailored for India (with a focus on Tamil Nadu):
🧑⚕️ Why Hire a Trained Nurse for Old Age Patients at Home?
Elderly patients often need skilled care that goes beyond what a general caregiver can provide. A trained home nurse supports:
- Chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart conditions, arthritis)
- Mobility issues or bedridden cases
- Post-surgery recovery
- Catheter care, feeding tubes, wound dressing
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s supervision
- Vital sign monitoring and medication management
👩⚕️ What Does a Home Nurse Do?
| Service Category | Tasks Included |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | Blood pressure, glucose, oxygen monitoring, injections, IV support |
| Personal Hygiene | Bathing, oral care, grooming, diaper change |
| Mobility Support | Repositioning, walking aid, physiotherapy coordination |
| Nutrition | Feeding assistance, tube feeding, meal supervision |
| Post-Op & Wound Care | Dressing changes, catheter management, surgical site cleaning |
| Emotional Companionship | Talking, engaging activities, cognitive stimulation |
🏠 Where to Hire Trained Home Nurses in Tamil Nadu
🔹 Portea Medical – portea.com
- Offers GNM/BSc-trained nurses for 12-hr and 24-hr shifts
- Available in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy
- Also offers equipment rental and doctor visits
🔹 India Home Health Care (IHHC) – ihhc.in
- Operates in major TN cities
- Specializes in elderly and palliative home care
- Background-verified nursing staff
🔹 Sulekha Care Services
- Use Sulekha to find verified local agencies in your city (e.g., Coimbatore, Salem, Karaikudi)
- User reviews and service comparisons available
🔹 Helpers Near Me – helpersnearme.com
- Platform to connect with trained nurses and attenders near you
- Offers profiles with experience levels and salary expectations
🔹 Sakthi Home Nursing (Coimbatore) / Sunglow Home Care (Madurai)
- Provide both attenders and skilled nurses for home-based elderly care
- Available for 12-hour, 24-hour, or part-time support
💰 Approximate Cost (per month in Tamil Nadu)
| Service Type | Day Shift (12 hr) | 24-Hour Stay | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Attender | ₹15,000–20,000 | ₹25,000–30,000 | No medical support |
| Trained Nurse (GNM/BSc) | ₹20,000–30,000 | ₹35,000–50,000 | Skilled medical tasks supported |
| Live-in with ICU Skills | – | ₹45,000–65,000 | For serious or palliative cases |
💡 Night shifts, emergency visits, or specialized care (e.g. tracheostomy) may cost extra.
✅ How to Choose the Right Nurse
- Verify qualifications (ANM, GNM, BSc Nursing)
- Check experience level, especially in geriatric care
- Ask for references or previous employer feedback
- Insist on a trial shift before long-term commitment
- Clarify duties upfront (e.g. lifting, cooking, medical tasks)
- Check replacement and backup policies with the agency
🔎 Sample Daily Routine for an Elderly Home Nurse
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | Vital checks, sponge bath, grooming |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast & medications |
| 10:00 AM | Light mobility exercise / emotional talk |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch, assistance in feeding |
| 2:00 PM | Repositioning, nap supervision |
| 4:00 PM | Evening meds, wound dressing if needed |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner, catheters/diaper care |
| 8:00 PM | Bed prep, sleep-time care |