Hiring a caregiver for your parents: 8 checks to make first
India is beginning to treat caregiving as a skilled job. That is good news for families. It also raises a question every family should be able to answer: how do you know the person looking after your parents is trained, verified and accountable?
What has changed in 2026
- More trained caregivers. In the Union Budget 2026-27, the Finance Minister said 1.5 lakh caregivers will be trained in the coming year through NSQF-aligned programmes that combine core care skills with allied skills.
- A national dashboard. In May 2026, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the JEEVAN app and the SHATAYU dashboard: JEEVAN brings together information on schemes and support for senior citizens, and SHATAYU shows details of trained geriatric caregivers by district and state. By October 2026, the dashboard listed 30,151 trained geriatric caregivers.
- The first state register. On 26 October 2026, the Keralam Assembly passed the Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026. It creates a State Register of Caregivers, requires police background checks and sets baseline standards for agencies that provide care at home. It still needs the Governor’s assent.
New rules take time to reach every state and every household. Until they do, the checks are in your hands.
8 checks before anyone looks after your parents
- Identity. See an original government photo ID, keep a copy, and confirm their current address.
- Police verification. Many state police services offer verification of domestic help, often online. Use it, or ask the agency for proof that it has been done.
- Training, and its limits. Ask what they are trained to do and see the certificate. Just as important, agree what they will not do: someone who is not a qualified nurse should not carry out medical procedures or change medicines.
- References. Speak to two families they have worked for, yourself, not through the person or the agency.
- Written terms. Put duties, hours, days off, pay, notice and what happens on a day they cannot come in writing. With an agency, read the service agreement before you pay.
- Who is accountable. If you hire through an agency, find out who supervises the caregiver, who you call when something goes wrong, and how a replacement is arranged.
- Money and privacy boundaries. No access to bank cards, PINs, OTPs or cheque books. Agree how household cash is handled and recorded, and that photos of your parents are not shared without consent.
- A trial and regular check-ins. Start with a trial period, keep in touch with the caregiver, and ask your parents privately how things are going.
Red flags
- Unwilling to share ID or go through police verification.
- Claims nursing or medical skills without the qualification to back them.
- Asks for large advances, or for access to your parents’ money.
- Discourages contact between your parents and the rest of the family.
- An agency with no written agreement or no named person to call.
Respect works both ways
Good caregivers are skilled professionals doing demanding work. Fair pay, proper rest and respect from the whole family are what keep a good caregiver for years, and continuity is one of the best things you can give your parents.
Where Cent Care fits in
We built Cent Care around these checks. Every Care Manager is background-checked, trained on our written care protocols and carries a photo ID with a unique number that families can verify on our website. Every visit is logged, and a named team is accountable to the family. Our Care Managers are not nurses and do not give medical advice. Book a free home visit, or read our 10 questions to ask any home care provider.
Sources: Union Budget 2026-27 on caregivers, Business Today, 1 February 2026; JEEVAN app and SHATAYU dashboard launch, Outlook Money, May 2026; Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana update, 27 October 2026, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, via Press Information Bureau; Keralam Senior Citizens Bill, 2026, Outlook Money.
Important information. This article is general information and the personal view of the author, written for families. It is not medical, nursing, clinical, legal, financial, tax, investment or insurance advice, and it is not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who knows your family’s circumstances. Always consult your parent’s doctor or another qualified healthcare professional about any health question, and a qualified adviser before making financial decisions. In an emergency, call 112 immediately. Government scheme rules, interest rates, eligibility criteria and deadlines change; always confirm the current position with the official website, bank or office concerned before acting. While we try to keep this information accurate and up to date, Cent Care Technologies Pvt. Ltd. makes no representations or warranties about its completeness, accuracy or suitability for your situation, and accepts no liability for any loss or harm arising from reliance on it. Statistics and figures are taken from the sources cited and may change. Links to external websites, apps and helplines are provided for convenience only; Cent Care does not operate, control or endorse them. Descriptions of Cent Care’s services are general; the terms of your service agreement apply.
This article is general information for families, not medical advice. For any health concern, speak to your parent's doctor. In an emergency, call 112.
