Write down what help your parent needs before you meet anyone. Look for accredited caregiver training, real experience with older people (and with dementia, if that applies), patience and good references. Ask how she'd handle a fall, a refusal to take medication or a confused day. Check her references, certificates and, with her consent, a police clearance. Then pay for a trial shift before you commit. A caregiver working in your home is a domestic worker under the law, so she needs a written contract, at least the minimum wage, UIF and COIDA from day one.
Start with your parent's needs
The biggest hiring mistake is looking for "a caregiver" without being clear on the care. A parent who needs company and help with meals needs a different person from one who needs help getting out of bed or has dementia. Tick what applies to see the level of care to look for.
What kind of care does your parent need?
Tick everything that applies, now or in the next few months.
Everyday support
Personal care
Medical care
The result shows the level of care to look for, and what to ask about.
Companion, caregiver or nurse?
| Who | Typically helps with | Training to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Companion | Company, meals, light housework, outings and medication reminders | First aid, and a caring, reliable nature |
| Caregiver | Everything a companion does, plus bathing, dressing, toileting, moving safely and dementia care | An accredited caregiver or home-based care certificate, first aid, and dementia training if needed |
| Nurse | Medical tasks: injections, wound care, catheters and complex medication | Registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) |
Many families combine them: a caregiver every day, and a visiting nurse for medical tasks. If you're not sure which tasks can safely be handed to a trained caregiver, ask your parent's doctor.
What to look for in a caregiver
Good signs
- Accredited caregiver or home-based care training she can show you
- Experience with older people, not only with children
- Experience with your parent's condition, such as dementia, Parkinson's or a stroke
- A current first aid certificate
- Patience, warmth and respect for your parent's dignity
- A language your parent is comfortable with
- Two references from families she cared for
Be cautious if
- She can't or won't show certificates or give references
- Her references are only friends or family
- She talks about your parent rather than to them
- She seems impatient or dismissive of your parent's wishes
- She's vague about gaps in her work history
- She's keen to handle your parent's money or bank cards
If possible, include your parent in the interview, or at least in the final meeting. How a caregiver speaks to them, and how comfortable they feel, matters as much as her CV.
12 questions to ask at the interview
Open questions about real situations tell you far more than "Are you patient?". Here's what to ask, and what to listen for.
Experience and training
Questions 1–3- 1Tell me about the older people you've cared for.Real experience shows in the detail: ages, conditions, what a typical day looked like and how long she stayed.Listen for: specific examples and long placements.Red flag: vague answers, or experience only with children.
- 2What caregiver training do you have, and can I see your certificates?Training covers safe moving, hygiene, nutrition and recognising when something is wrong.Listen for: an accredited course, first aid, and copies you can check with the provider.Red flag: no certificates, or reluctance to let you verify them.
- 3Have you cared for someone with dementia? How did you handle a difficult day?Dementia care needs calm, patience and an understanding that the behaviour is part of the illness.Listen for: gentle redirection, routine and reassurance.Red flag: arguing, shouting, or locking the person in a room.
Daily care
Questions 4–7- 4How would you help my mother shower if she's afraid of falling?Bathing is where dignity and safety meet.Listen for: a shower chair and non-slip mat, explaining each step, and giving privacy where possible.Red flag: rushing, or "I'll just do it quickly for her".
- 5How do you help someone move from the bed to a chair safely?Poor technique injures both the parent and the caregiver.Listen for: using the person's own strength, walking aids or a hoist, and asking for help with heavy lifts.Red flag: pulling by the arms, or lifting alone without a second thought.
- 6How do you keep track of medication?Missed or doubled doses are a common and serious risk.Listen for: a written chart, a pill organiser, recording each dose and reporting anything missed.Red flag: "I just remember", or changing doses without asking.
- 7What would you cook for someone on a soft or diabetic diet?Many older people have special diets, or struggle to chew and swallow.Listen for: sensible, practical meal ideas and attention to fluids.Red flag: no idea what the diet involves.
Safety and emergencies
Questions 8–10- 8What would you do if my father fell and couldn't get up?Falls are one of the biggest risks for older people at home.Listen for: checking for injury first, not lifting him if he's hurt, keeping him warm and calling for help.Red flag: pulling him up straight away.
- 9What would you do if he suddenly became confused, or had chest pain or trouble speaking?These can be signs of a stroke, heart attack or infection, and every minute counts.Listen for: calling an ambulance (10177, or 112 from a cellphone), then the family.Red flag: "I'd let him rest and see how he is later."
- 10What would you do if she refused to eat or take her medication?Older adults have the right to say no, and refusals often have a reason.Listen for: staying calm, trying again later, finding out why and telling the family.Red flag: forcing, threatening or hiding medication in food without the doctor's say-so.
Working together
Questions 11–12- 11How do you look after yourself in such a demanding job?Caregiving is physically and emotionally tiring. Burnout leads to mistakes.Listen for: rest, support at home, and honesty about her limits.Red flag: "I never get tired", or plans to take on a second job.
- 12What would you need from us to do this job well?Good caregivers know what helps them succeed.Listen for: a care plan, medical information, clear hours and someone to call.Red flag: no questions at all about your parent.
Some questions are off limits. Under the Employment Equity Act, don't ask about pregnancy, marital status, religion, HIV status or similar personal matters. Our nanny interview guide explains what to avoid.
Checks before you hire
- Confirm her identity and right to work. See her ID, or her passport and a valid work permit.
- Call two references. Ideally families she cared for, not friends. Ask what she did, how she handled difficult moments and why she left.
- Verify her certificates with the training provider.
- Ask for a police clearance, with her consent. Handle her personal information carefully and only for this purpose, as POPIA requires.
- Pay for a trial shift. Spend a few hours together with your parent. Pay at least R30.23 an hour, and at least 4 hours.
The legal basics
A caregiver who looks after an older, sick or frail person in a private home is a domestic worker under the Sectoral Determination, with the same rights as a housekeeper or nanny:
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Written contract | Her terms in writing from her first day. See our employment contract guide |
| Minimum wage | At least R30.23 an hour (2026). See our minimum wage guide |
| Working hours | No more than 45 ordinary hours a week. Overtime must be agreed and paid at 1.5 times her rate |
| Night work and standby | Work after 18:00, or being on call at night, needs her written agreement and extra pay or shorter hours |
| Rest and leave | 12 hours off between shifts, 36 hours off in a row each week, and at least 3 weeks' paid annual leave |
| UIF and COIDA | UIF if she works 24 hours or more a month, and COIDA for every domestic worker |
One caregiver can't legally cover a parent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your parent needs round-the-clock care, plan for a second caregiver or relief cover for nights, weekends and her annual leave.
Setting her up to succeed
- A written care plan: daily routine, likes and dislikes, diet, mobility and what to watch for
- A medication chart she signs off for each dose
- Emergency numbers on the fridge: ambulance 10177, 112 from a cellphone, the doctor and two family members
- Safety aids where needed: grab rails, a shower chair, non-slip mats and good lighting
- A short daily update by message or in a notebook
- Regular check-ins with her, so small problems are raised early
If you use cameras at home, tell her and say so in her contract. Never place them in bathrooms or in her own room.
Warning signs to watch for
Most caregivers are kind and dedicated, but stay involved. Speak up early if you notice:
- Unexplained bruises, weight loss or poor hygiene
- Your parent seeming afraid, withdrawn or unusually quiet around the caregiver
- Missing money, valuables or medication
- The caregiver discouraging visits or phone calls
Abusing an older person is an offence under the Older Persons Act, and anyone who suspects abuse must report it. Contact the police (10111) or the Department of Social Development's toll-free line, 0800 220 250.
Frequently asked questions
Should I hire a live-in or a live-out caregiver?
A live-out caregiver suits a parent who manages at night. If your parent needs help at night, consider a live-in caregiver or a separate night caregiver. Remember that night work and standby need her agreement and extra pay, and she still needs proper rest.
Can a caregiver give my parent's medication?
A trained caregiver can remind your parent and help with prescribed tablets, following a written chart. Injections, wound care and other medical tasks are nursing work, so arrange a registered nurse or ask the doctor what can safely be handed over.
Can our housekeeper also look after my parent?
For a fairly independent parent, light companionship can work alongside housework. Personal care takes time and attention, though, so if your parent needs help with bathing, moving or dementia, the housework will need to be reduced. Our housekeeper workload guide shows how much fits into a day.
How much should I pay a caregiver?
At least the national minimum wage of R30.23 an hour. Trained, experienced caregivers, especially with dementia experience, usually earn more. Factor in night allowances, overtime and relief cover.
What should happen when she goes on leave?
Plan relief cover in advance: another caregiver, a family rota or short-term respite care. Her annual leave is a legal right, and she'll come back rested.
Find a caring, vetted caregiver.
Tell us about your parent's needs, and we'll match you with an experienced, vetted caregiver. We can also handle the contract, payroll, UIF and COIDA.
Sources: Sectoral Determination 7: Domestic Worker Sector (definition of a domestic worker, hours, night work, standby, rest and leave); Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997; Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998; Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013; Older Persons Act 13 of 2006; 2026 national minimum wage of R30.23 an hour; South African Police Service, emergency numbers.
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Speak to your parent's doctor about their care needs.