“I need someone to help at home” can mean four completely different jobs — and hiring the wrong one wastes time and, in a care situation, can actually leave a gap in safety. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each role actually covers in Kolkata so that you can book the right one the first time.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Core job | Best for | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya | Hands-on personal care — feeding, bathing, mobility, companionship | Babies, patients recovering from surgery, elderly family members | 10hr / 12hr / 24hr (live-in) |
| Home Nurse | Clinical care — wound dressing, injections, vitals monitoring | Medical conditions requiring trained clinical oversight | Varies by case, often 12hr/24hr |
| House Maid | Domestic chores — cleaning, cooking, laundry | General household upkeep | Full-time or part-time |
| Babysitter | Supervision and engagement for children | Working parents needing childcare during the day/evening | Hourly to full shifts |
What Is an Aya?
An aya (also spelled aaya or ayah) provides direct personal care to a person who can’t fully care for themselves — a newborn, a patient recovering from surgery, or an elderly parent. This includes feeding, bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, medication reminders, and simply being present and attentive. It’s a middle ground between domestic help and clinical nursing — hands-on, but not medical. See our full Aya Service in Kolkata page for packages and verification details.
What Is a Home Nurse?
A home nurse handles the clinical side — dressing wounds, administering injections, monitoring vitals, managing medical equipment — tasks that require formal nursing training. If a doctor has prescribed ongoing medical monitoring or post-hospitalisation clinical care, this is what you need, not an aya. See our Nursing Care at Home service.
What Is a Housemaid?
A housemaid focuses on the home itself — cleaning, cooking, laundry, and general upkeep — not on caring for a person directly. If your need is domestic help rather than caregiving, this is the right fit. See House Maid Services in Kolkata.
What Is a Babysitter?
A babysitter supervises and engages with children while parents are away — play, homework help, meals, and basic safety — without the specialised training needed for infant medical needs. For children old enough not to need round-the-clock feeding/bathing support, this is usually the right call. See Baby Sitter in Kolkata.
What About Newborn Care and Patient Care Specifically?
Two situations are common enough to call out separately:
- Newborn / Japa care — the first weeks after delivery need a specialised combination of baby care and new-mother support. See Newborn Care / Japa.
- Patient care after surgery or hospitalisation — often needs an aya for daily personal care plus a nurse for clinical monitoring, working together. See Patient Care in Kolkata.
For longer-term elderly support specifically, see Elderly Care in Kolkata.
Which One Do You Need? A Quick Decision Guide
- Just had a baby and need help at home? → Newborn Care / Japa, moving to a Baby Care Aya as the baby grows.
- Parent or grandparent recovering from surgery? → Patient Care Aya, plus a Home Nurse if there’s ongoing clinical monitoring.
- Elderly family member needs daily support and companionship long-term? → Elderly Care Aya.
- Need someone to manage the house, not a person? → Housemaid.
- Need supervision for a school-age child after hours? → Babysitter.
- Not sure which situation you’re in? → Call us and describe the situation — we’ll tell you which service actually fits before you book anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one person do both aya and nursing duties?
Sometimes, if the caregiver is trained for both — but for genuine clinical tasks (injections, wound care), you need someone with formal nursing training, not just caregiving experience.
Is a maid the same as an aya?
No. A maid manages the household; an aya manages the person’s direct care. Some families need both at once.
Do I need a babysitter or an aya for my toddler?
If your child is an infant needing feeding/bathing support, an aya is closer to the right fit. For a toddler or older child needing supervision and engagement, a babysitter usually covers it.
How do I know which service to book if my situation involves more than one need?
Call us and describe the full situation — we often combine services (e.g., an aya for daily care alongside a nurse for medical monitoring) rather than making you choose one in isolation.
Still not sure which service fits your situation?
Call +91 62913 85823, and we’ll match you with the right one — an aya, nurse, maid, or babysitter.
