How to Arrange for a Caregiver in Monaco?
Hiring a home care assistant in Monaco is a key solution for elderly, dependent, or disabled individuals—or those experiencing a loss of autonomy—who wish to continue living at home in good conditions.
However, before arranging such care, many families ask the same questions: When is the right time to hire a home care assistant? What services can they provide? What administrative steps are required in Monaco? Is financial assistance available? Is a medical prescription necessary? How do you determine the number of hours needed? And above all, how do you choose a reliable provider when care is required for several hours a day or even around the clock?
In Monaco, it is also important to distinguish between the various options available. The Monaco Town Hall’s home assistance service addresses specific situations and has its own eligibility criteria, whereas a professional home care agency can offer much more personalized support—particularly when needs relate directly to maintaining independence, assistance with daily tasks, providing companionship, or supporting a person with a disability.
This article outlines the key steps to take before arranging for a home care assistant in Monaco.
Why Choose Home Care Assistance in Monaco?
A home care assistant provides support to individuals with reduced independence, whether temporary or long-term.
A loss of independence does not necessarily mean a person must leave their home. In many situations, appropriate support can actually make daily life safer and allow the individual to maintain the lifestyle habits they value.
Needs may arise gradually:
- difficulty getting in or out of bed;
- difficulty moving around the home;
- need for assistance with washing or dressing;
- meal preparation;
- assistance during meals;
- accompaniment when going out;
- need for companionship and supervision;
- accompaniment to appointments;
- social isolation;
- cognitive impairment;
- returning home after hospitalization;
- age-related loss of independence;
- disability;
- need for significant presence, particularly at night.
It is therefore best not to wait for a crisis situation before seeking a solution.
An initial assessment helps determine precisely what the individual can still do independently, what requires assistance, and the times of day when a presence is truly needed.
Personal care assistants and home helpers in Monaco: two distinct services
Monaco’s municipal regulations, revised on March 3, 2026, specify that this service caters to several situations. It is intended primarily for the elderly, but also for individuals with disabilities or those facing a temporary loss of autonomy who reside in the Principality. The service focuses mainly on household chores and specific forms of daily living assistance.
The municipal regulations notably provide for:
- routine household maintenance;
- washing and putting away laundry;
- ironing;
- running small errands;
- preparing simple meals;
- certain tasks related to a temporary loss of autonomy;
- encouraging and monitoring fluid intake.
However, certain types of assistance are expressly excluded. The regulations specify, in particular, that home support staff may not perform medical tasks or assist with the administration or taking of medication. It is therefore essential to determine the actual level of support required. A person who primarily needs help with household maintenance will not necessarily have the same needs as a dependent individual requiring daily assistance with essential activities of daily living.
For details regarding the specific conditions of the municipal service, the application process, and the required supporting documents, please consult the Monaco Town Hall’s official page on home support services.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Monaco Town Hall’s household assistance benefit?
Several specific conditions apply to the municipal household assistance benefit. In particular, the individual must:
- reside in the Principality of Monaco;
- have a medical prescription;
- submit an application to the Seniors and Social Action Department.
The operating regulations revised in March 2026 specify that the service is available to individuals residing in the Principality who hold a medical prescription. A home-based social assessment may also be conducted when necessary.
The duration of the service is determined based on the medical certificate, up to a maximum of one year. Families wishing to arrange municipal-funded or municipal-organized assistance should therefore plan ahead for this process.
What documents are required for a household assistance application?
The municipal application file requires several supporting documents. The 2026 regulations specify, in particular:
- a medical certificate dated within the last month specifying the duration of the prescription and the frequency of the interventions;
- a copy of the residence permit or Monegasque identity card of persons residing at the same address;
- a copy of the social security card;
- proof of address;
- proof of civil liability insurance;
- in certain situations, proof of civil liability insurance for a pet.
When the applicant also requests financial assistance, additional supporting documents regarding income and benefits received may be required. In particular, it may be necessary to provide proof of pensions, salaries, supplementary income, and various social benefits for the household.
Practical tip: Gathering all the necessary documents before submitting an application helps avoid administrative back-and-forth and facilitates the review of the situation.
What to do when needs exceed in-home care?
This is precisely when a personalized assessment becomes particularly useful. Let’s take the example of an elderly person living alone in Monaco.
They can:
- needing help getting up in the morning;
- having breakfast;
- needing help with personal care;
- being accompanied to a medical appointment;
- having lunch with someone present;
- needing a walk;
- being assisted with dinner;
- needing a reassuring presence in the evening.
In this situation, it is no longer simply a matter of performing a few household chores; it is necessary to organize personal support. The frequency of visits can be determined based on the beneficiary’s actual level of independence. This is the distinct advantage of a professional home care service: the care plan can be
tailored to the individual, their habits, and their evolving needs.
How to determine the number of home care hours needed?
There is no universal number of hours that suits every elderly or dependent person. A proper assessment must take five key factors into account.
1. Level of independence
What can the person still do on their own? Can they get up? Walk? Prepare a meal? Wash? Get dressed? Use the toilet? Eat? The greater the loss of independence, the more structured the support needs to be.
2. Critical times of the day
Needs are not necessarily evenly distributed. A person may be independent for part of the day but require significant assistance
in the morning and evening. It may therefore be more appropriate to consider key moments of daily life rather than just the number of hours.
3. The family environment
The presence of children, a spouse, or other relatives can significantly alter
the way care is organized. In particular, it is necessary to determine:
- who is present;
- at what times;
- who can intervene in an emergency;
- who can accompany the person to appointments;
- who handles the administrative follow-up.
4. Housing
An apartment in Monaco may present certain challenges: stairs, an unsuitable bathroom, a lack of grab bars, limited space, or difficulty accessing the bed or shower. A home assessment is therefore particularly useful, and medical equipment may need to be considered.
5. The foreseeable evolution of the situation
Some situations are temporary: returning from hospital, a fracture, or convalescence. Others are progressive: neurodegenerative disease, aging, or disability. The support system must be able to evolve along with the individual.
Home care assistant in Monaco: what tasks can be requested?
The tasks must be defined from the outset. Depending on the situation, the support provided may include, in particular:
Assistance with daily activities
The assistant can help the individual with essential daily tasks, based on their needs and the agreed scope of care.
Assistance with getting up and going to bed
Morning and evening are often particularly important times for individuals with reduced mobility. The goal is to ensure safety during these transitions while preserving the person’s independence as much as possible.
Mealtime Assistance
Depending on needs, meal arrangements may include preparation, setup, assistance, and supervision. Proper nutrition is a key factor in enabling individuals to continue living at home.
Assistance with outings
A home care aide can also accompany an individual on various outings, such as appointments, walks, excursions, or social activities. Maintaining a social life helps reduce isolation and preserve established routines.
Presence and monitoring
In certain situations, human presence is just as important as physical assistance. This is particularly the case when the person lives alone or has cognitive impairments
requiring appropriate monitoring. Click here to learn more about our mobile night-care services (GIN).
What about a person with cognitive impairment?
In this case, the support provided must be highly structured. A person with cognitive impairment may require a stable routine, familiar reference points, and a reassuring environment. Furthermore, the caregiver must be familiar with the individual’s habits and know how to adapt their communication style. In such situations, the sharing of information between the family, caregivers, and healthcare professionals is crucial.
It is also helpful to plan in advance how to handle changes in behavior, falls, refusal to eat, or a decline in the person’s level of independence.
Is financial assistance available for home care in Monaco?
Yes, certain schemes exist, but you should not assume that coverage will be automatically granted. Eligibility depends on factors such as the individual’s status, place of residence, financial resources, and the nature of the assistance requested.
The Social Services Compensation Fund (CCSS) provides, among other things, a home-help scheme for certain categories of insured persons. The CCSS specifies that this assistance may be available to employees, disability pension recipients, certain unemployed persons receiving benefits, and retirees residing in Monaco, subject to means-testing. However, this is a specific scheme: the CCSS notes that the assistance is intended for situations where the person usually responsible for
maintaining the household is temporarily physically unable to perform domestic chores.
The tasks mentioned include, in particular:
- routine household maintenance;
- grocery shopping;
- ironing;
- meal preparation.
Therefore, this financial aid should not automatically be equated with full coverage of the cost of home care assistance hours. Furthermore, before arranging funding for care services, it is recommended that you verify your eligibility directly with the relevant organization.
For the latest conditions, please consult the official CCSS page dedicated to home care assistance.
Who to contact in Monaco?
For inquiries regarding municipal home-based support services, the first point of contact is the Seniors and Social Action Department of the Monaco Town Hall; the contact details are as follows:
Seniors and Social Action DepartmentMonaco Town Hall
Place de la Mairie de Monaco
98000 Monaco
Telephone: +377 93 15 28 35
The service is available by telephone from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding public holidays.
For questions regarding the CCSS social welfare program, the Social Services Department of the Caisses Sociales de Monaco can also provide information to insured persons about available schemes. You can visit the official contact page of the Caisses Sociales de Monaco.
How much does home care cost in Monaco?
It is difficult to provide a single price that applies to every situation.
The rate depends in particular on:
- the number of hours;
- the frequency of interventions;
- the schedule;
- the level of autonomy;
- the required tasks;
- any need for overnight presence;
- the level of coordination required;
- potential coverage by a social welfare agency.
Regarding the municipal home-help service, Regulation 2026 stipulates that the hourly rate is set annually by the Department for Seniors and Social Action, validated by the Social Funds Oversight Committee, and submitted to the Municipal Council for approval. The applicable rate may also be reduced if financial assistance is granted. It is therefore advisable to request a precise assessment rather than relying on a general rate found online.
How to choose a home care assistant in Monaco?
The choice of caregiver should not be based solely on the number of hours available. Several criteria are worth checking.
Training
Ask what training the caregiver has completed and whether it aligns with the needs of the person receiving care. For instance, someone with cognitive impairments requires a different approach than someone who simply needs help with daily tasks.
Experience
Experience working with the elderly, dependent individuals, or people with disabilities is a key factor.
Continuity
Continuity of care is often crucial. A vulnerable person may need to establish a routine and a sense of familiarity with their caregivers.
Coordination to determine who
- steps in when an aide is absent?
- contacts the family?
- monitors the situation’s progress?
- arranges replacements?
These questions must be asked before the support process begins.
Adaptability
Needs can change rapidly. A reliable service must therefore be able to adjust the way care is organized when the individual’s level of independence changes.
Why conduct a home assessment?
A telephone assessment is useful, but it does not always capture the full picture.
A home visit makes it possible to understand:
- the layout of the home;
- mobility difficulties;
- the person’s habits;
- key schedules;
- the role of the family;
- potential risks;
- support needs;
- existing equipment;
- needs likely to change.
At A Domicile Monaco, the service is organized around
an initial in-home assessment, followed by a proposal tailored to the specific situation.
The goal is not simply to propose more hours, but to establish
an arrangement that aligns with the individual’s actual needs.
What questions should you ask before getting started?
Before signing an agreement or beginning care, a family might find it useful to ask:
- Who will provide the service?
- What happens in the event of an absence?
- Who coordinates the services?
- What scheduling options are available?
- Does the service operate on weekends?
- Is overnight service available?
- How are emergencies handled?
- How is the family informed of any changes in the situation?
- What tasks are included in the service?
- Which tasks require a healthcare professional?
This last question is particularly important.
A home care assistant should not be confused with a nurse or other healthcare
professional. Medical procedures fall within a different professional scope.
24-hour home care assistant in Monaco: in which situations?
Certain situations require a particularly high level of presence.
This is notably the case when a person:
- can no longer be left alone;
- is at significant risk of falling;
- suffers from cognitive impairment;
- requires frequent assistance;
- is returning home after hospitalization;
- lives alone and lacks a support network;
- requires overnight supervision;
- has a disability requiring daily assistance.
In this context, the staffing arrangement can involve multiple personnel to
ensure continuous coverage.
However, 24-hour coverage does not necessarily mean that a single person is working
continuously. A professional setup generally relies on a handover system between several
staff members to safeguard safety and working conditions for everyone.
Key steps to arranging a home care assistant in Monaco
For a family unsure where to start, the process can be summarized in eight steps.
- Identify difficulties:
make a concrete list of what the person can no longer do on their own. - Determine critical times:
morning, midday, evening, night, weekends: identify the periods when assistance is required. - Consult a doctor:
when necessary, request a medical assessment and an appropriate prescription. - Check available services:
inquire at the Monaco Town Hall and, depending on the situation, with the Monaco Social Security Funds (Caisses Sociales de Monaco). - Compare solutions:
compare schedules, qualifications, organizational arrangements, replacement procedures, and follow-up. - Conduct a home assessment:
this step helps create a truly tailored care plan. - Draw up a precise schedule:
the schedule must define the hours, tasks, and responsibilities of everyone involved. - Re-evaluate regularly:
the loss of autonomy is not always static; the care arrangement must be adaptable.
Why opt for a structured service rather than just a one-off intervention?
When a person is vulnerable, the real challenge is not merely finding someone to provide a few hours of care; it is about ensuring continuity. A structured service can, for instance, organize:
- selection of care staff;
- team coordination;
- replacements;
- quality monitoring;
- communication with the family;
- schedule adjustments;
- conveying important information.
This type of organization becomes particularly important when the support extends over several days a week or when a significant level of presence is required.
A Domicile Monaco: personalized professional support
A Domicile Monaco provides support directly in the home for individuals who are dependent, experiencing a loss of autonomy, or living with a disability.
The service offers assistance tailored to each client’s specific needs, with an organizational structure capable of meeting requirements for extensive in-home presence.
To learn more about the support we provide, please visit our Home Care Assistant in Monaco page.
For needs focused more on household maintenance, grocery shopping, laundry, or meal preparation, please also explore our Home Help and Housekeeping Services in Monaco.
When a disability requires specific support, our dedicated service—Support for People with Disabilities in Monaco—also allows us to explore a personalized solution.
For situations requiring overnight presence or intervention, you can also look into our mobile night-care service in Monaco.
A home care solution must evolve with the individual
Engaging a home care assistant is not necessarily a permanent decision. In some situations, a few hours a week may suffice. Following a hospital stay, the level of care required may temporarily increase. In other cases—particularly when a loss of independence is progressive—the support provided will need to be regularly reassessed. That is why ongoing monitoring is just as important as the initial setup.
A well-structured approach should make it possible to answer a simple question:
“What does this person need today to continue living at home
under the best possible conditions?”
This question must remain at the heart of the support provided.
Contact us by phone at +377 97 70 43 90 or by Email at coordination@adomicilemonaco.mc
Our address in Monaco : 9 rue Louis Aureglia, 98000 Monaco
