Iqela le-Know a Pro
Kuhlaziywe 11 Sept 20267 imiz yokufunda
Arranging care for an ageing parent, someone recovering at home or a loved one who needs additional support can be a difficult decision.
Price matters, but it shouldn't be the first question.
Start by understanding what kind of help the person actually needs. Companionship and assistance with everyday activities are different from clinical nursing care, and choosing the right level of support matters.
What home care can cost
Home-care pricing varies substantially depending on the level of support, provider, location, hours, shift pattern and whether care is arranged privately or through an agency.
As a broad 2026 planning guide:
| Type of care | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Caregiver or companion | Often roughly R60–R160 per hour, with substantial variation by provider and location |
| Part-time recurring care | Can range from several thousand rand per month depending on hours and frequency |
| Full weekday/daytime care | Agency arrangements can reach roughly R16,000–R23,000+ per month depending on hours and provider |
| Live-in care | Can exceed R20,000–R30,000+ per month through some professional care providers |
| Overnight care | Often priced differently from daytime care and can cost more depending on whether active overnight assistance is required |
| Professional home nursing | Usually quoted according to the nursing service, practitioner, visit length and clinical requirements |
Important: These are broad market examples for planning, not fixed or prescribed national rates.
Home-care arrangements differ enormously. Always obtain a quote for the actual level of care, hours and responsibilities required.
Caregiver or nurse: what's the difference?
The words “caregiver” and “nurse” should not be treated as interchangeable.
A caregiver or companion may assist with non-clinical daily support such as:
- companionship;
- assistance with everyday routines;
- meal preparation;
- help with dressing or personal care where appropriate;
- mobility assistance within their training and role; and
- general support around the home.
A nurse is a regulated healthcare practitioner.
Nursing services may involve clinical care that falls within the practitioner's professional scope.
If your loved one needs clinical nursing care, don't assume that a general caregiver is an appropriate substitute for a registered nursing practitioner.
When you're unsure what level of care is appropriate, seek guidance from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional involved in your loved one's care.
Check nursing registration
Nursing is regulated in South Africa by the South African Nursing Council (SANC).
If someone is being hired or presented as a nurse, their current registration status can be checked through the SANC eRegister.
SANC states that its eRegister is a copy of the active records in the official register and is intended to allow users to verify the registration status of nursing practitioners.
Don't rely only on a uniform, job title, social-media page or a document shown to you.
Where nursing registration is relevant, independently check the practitioner's current registration status through SANC.
Work out what care your loved one actually needs
Before interviewing anyone, write down the person's needs.
Consider questions such as:
- Do they mainly need companionship?
- Do they need help with everyday activities?
- Do they need assistance moving around?
- Do they need overnight supervision or assistance?
- Are there cognitive or memory-related needs?
- Is clinical nursing care required?
- Are there instructions from their doctor or healthcare team?
- How many hours of support are actually needed?
A clear description makes it easier to find someone whose role and experience are appropriate.
Interview the person who may provide the care
Don't choose someone solely from a profile or price.
Speak to them.
Ask about:
- their previous caregiving or nursing experience;
- experience relevant to your loved one's particular needs;
- training relevant to the role;
- professional registration where applicable;
- availability;
- what duties they will and won't perform;
- how they handle emergencies;
- references you can contact; and
- the practical expectations of the arrangement.
If care is being provided through an agency or company, ask who will actually attend the home and what happens if the usual caregiver is unavailable.
Check references and available background information
Caring for a vulnerable person is a position of significant responsibility.
References can provide useful information about someone's previous work.
Where appropriate, ask for recent, contactable references and verify them rather than simply accepting a name on a document.
If police-clearance or other background information is relevant to your decision, establish what documentation is available and how current it is.
A police-clearance document can be one piece of information in a broader assessment, but it should not be presented as a guarantee that someone is safe or suitable.
What ID Verified means on Know a Pro
South African Pros complete identity verification as part of the Know a Pro signup process before their profile can go live.
Once completed, their profile can display the ID Verified badge.
ID Verified relates to identity verification.
It does not mean Know a Pro guarantees that a caregiver is trustworthy, safe, appropriately trained or suitable for a vulnerable person.
It also does not replace professional registration where nursing registration is required.
Use identity information as one part of a broader decision that can include interviews, references, relevant training, professional registration and other available information.
Agree on responsibilities before care begins
Make sure everyone understands what's expected.
Depending on the arrangement, clarify:
- working hours;
- responsibilities;
- activities that are outside the person's role;
- pay or service fees;
- overtime or additional hours;
- overnight arrangements;
- transport expectations;
- meals where relevant;
- emergency contacts;
- cancellation or notice arrangements; and
- who should be contacted if the person's condition changes.
Where someone is directly employed by a household rather than supplied as a service by an agency or business, employment-law obligations may also apply.
Don't assume that calling someone an “independent caregiver” automatically removes legal employment responsibilities.
If necessary, obtain appropriate South African employment-law or payroll guidance for the particular arrangement.
Keep checking how the arrangement is working
Choosing someone isn't the end of the process.
Speak regularly with your loved one where they're able to provide feedback, and pay attention to how the care arrangement is working.
Keep communication open with the caregiver, nurse, agency and relevant family members.
If your loved one's health or care needs change, reassess whether the current level of support is still appropriate.
Find a caregiver or home-care Pro
Know a Pro makes it easier to browse local care providers, compare profile information and reviews, and see available trust information before deciding who to contact.
Need care for a loved one?
Find a caregiver or home-care Pro near you.
Prices in this article are indicative market examples for general guidance and were reviewed in September 2026. Actual home-care and nursing costs vary significantly according to provider, location, hours, shift pattern, level of care and individual needs. This article provides general information and is not medical, nursing, employment or legal advice. Where clinical care is required, seek guidance from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Imibuzo ebuzwa rhoqo
What's the difference between a caregiver and a home nurse?
A caregiver generally provides non-clinical support with everyday activities and companionship, depending on their role and training. A nurse is a regulated healthcare practitioner who may provide clinical nursing care within their professional scope. If clinical care is required, make sure the person providing it is appropriately registered and qualified for that role.
How much does home caregiving cost in South Africa?
Costs vary widely. As a broad 2026 guide, caregiver or companion services may be priced at roughly R60–R160 per hour, while recurring daytime, overnight and live-in arrangements can cost many thousands of rand per month. Agency-based full-time arrangements can exceed R20,000–R30,000 per month. Always obtain a quote for the actual hours and level of care required.
How can I check whether someone is registered as a nurse?
The South African Nursing Council provides an eRegister that can be used to check the current registration status of nursing practitioners. If someone is presenting themselves as a nurse, independently checking their SANC registration is an important step.
Should I ask a caregiver for references or a police clearance?
References and available background information can form part of your assessment, particularly when someone will be caring for a vulnerable person in the home. Check references rather than simply collecting them, and consider how current any background documentation is. No single document guarantees that someone is suitable or safe.
Does ID Verified mean Know a Pro guarantees a caregiver is trustworthy or safe?
No. ID Verified relates to identity verification. It does not guarantee trustworthiness, suitability, professional competence or personal safety. Consider identity verification alongside interviews, references, relevant training, professional registration where applicable and other available information.
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