Attendant and GDA care: your questions answered

A GDA (general duty assistant) holds a health-aide certificate and can also check vitals and help with mobility. An attendant completes our in-house training and focuses on daily-living help and companionship under a care plan. Neither gives injections or does medical procedures.

Yes. Hourly GDA help is available, as well as 12-hour day attendants. Night and 24-hour care are arranged as shifts, see our 24-hour and night care page.

We try to keep the same person for continuity, because older people settle better with a familiar face. If your regular attendant is unavailable, we arrange a substitute and tell you in advance.

Night shifts are part of our plan. See the night and 24-hour care page. A carer who works at night is given rest the next day.

Attendants focus on personal care and company. Light help with preparing the person's own meals can be agreed with the care manager. It is not a housekeeping service.

You can state a preference when you book, and we will try to honour it. Availability varies.

Tell us. Seniors have a veto on who is in their home, and we will arrange a different person.

Stay calm, check for pain or injury and call the family. For a head injury, severe pain or unconsciousness, call 108. Attendants do not move someone with a suspected fracture.