Complex care is a type of support for people who have long term or serious health conditions and need extra help day to day. Unlike standard home care, complex care often involves medical tasks as well as personal support. It is usually overseen by nurses or care professionals to make sure everything is safe and tailored to the person’s needs.
People who may need complex care include those living with conditions such as a brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or a spinal injury. It can also be right for someone who uses a feeding tube or needs help with stoma or catheter care.
What is complex care?
Complex care is personalised support for people with long term or ongoing health conditions that need more than basic help at home. It is centred around the individual and designed to manage both daily routines and medical needs.
Unlike standard home care, complex care often includes medical tasks. These might be support with a feeding tube, catheter or stoma care, help with medication, or monitoring symptoms linked to a long term condition. Because of this, complex care is usually overseen by nurses and delivered by carers who have had specialist training.
The key difference is that complex care looks at the whole picture. It is not just about helping with everyday activities, but also about making sure health needs are managed safely while supporting independence and quality of life.
Who is complex care for?
Complex care is designed for anyone living with a long term condition, disability, or injury that makes daily life more challenging. It can be helpful for both adults and children who need medical support alongside everyday assistance.
Some of the people who may benefit from complex care include:
- Those recovering from a brain or spinal injury
- People living with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or motor neurone disease
- Individuals with acquired conditions such as a stroke or Huntington’s disease
- People who need help with feeding tubes, catheters, or stoma care
- Adults or children with developmental or learning disabilities such as autism or epilepsy
- People managing severe mental health conditions that affect daily routines
Complex care can be short term, such as after leaving hospital, or ongoing for those with progressive illnesses. The focus is always on giving the right level of support so that life at home feels safe and as independent as possible.
Types of complex care
Complex care can be arranged in different ways depending on individual needs. At Independent People Homecare, we believe live-in care is often the most complete and reassuring option, allowing people to remain at home with personalised, one-to-one support. Other types of care can be useful in certain situations, but live-in care provides the greatest flexibility, continuity, and peace of mind.
Live-in Care
A professional carer lives in the home to provide day and night support. This ensures that help is always available, whether with medical needs, personal care, mobility, meals, or companionship. Unlike residential settings, live-in care enables individuals to stay in their familiar surroundings, maintain routines, and enjoy truly personalised support. It is the most comprehensive and reliable form of complex care.
Visiting Care
Carers visit at set times during the day or week to assist with specific tasks, such as medication or meal preparation. While this can be helpful for those who need only limited support, visiting care is restricted by time slots and may not always provide the level of reassurance required for more complex conditions.
Respite Care
Short-term care designed to cover when a family member or main carer needs a break, or during recovery after a hospital stay. Respite care can be arranged as visiting support, but many families find live-in respite care offers the greatest peace of mind, ensuring continuous help, safety, and companionship throughout the day and night.
Conditions supported by complex care
Complex care can support a wide range of long term, progressive, or serious health conditions. These may affect a person’s physical health, neurological function, or daily independence. Each care plan is tailored to the individual and their specific needs.
Some of the most common conditions include:
- Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease, and Huntington’s disease
- Brain and spinal injuries including acquired brain injury and spinal cord injury
- Stroke recovery with support for mobility, speech, and ongoing rehabilitation
- Feeding support such as gastrostomy care, PEG feeding, or other nutritional needs
- Continence support including catheter care, stoma care, and bowel management
- Learning disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, or epilepsy that require ongoing structured support
- Severe mental health conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or eating disorders that need specialist care and reassurance
Because these conditions are complex and often change over time, care is regularly reviewed and adjusted to make sure the right level of support is always in place.
What goes into a complex care plan?
A complex care plan is a detailed guide that sets out how someone’s health and daily needs will be supported. It is written around the individual, often in the first person, so that it reflects their wishes, routines, and lifestyle.
A typical plan will include:
- Initial care assessment – a full review of the person’s health, diagnosis, and daily support needs
- Clinical nurse input – guidance from healthcare professionals to make sure the plan is safe and effective
- Daily routines and goals – details of medication, personal care, nutrition, mobility, and social activities
- Family and professional contacts – key people involved in the person’s care such as next of kin, GPs, or specialists
- Regular reviews – scheduled check ins to adjust the plan as needs change over time
The goal of a complex care plan is to bring everything together in one place, so that everyone involved in care knows what is required and the person receiving support feels in control of their life.
Difference between complex care and standard home care
Home care, sometimes called domiciliary care, is designed to help with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, meal preparation, and companionship. It supports people who may need a little extra help but do not require medical intervention.
Complex care, on the other hand, is for people who have ongoing health conditions or medical needs that require specialist training and sometimes clinical oversight. This could include managing a feeding tube, catheter or stoma care, monitoring symptoms of a progressive condition, or supporting someone after a brain or spinal injury.
The key difference is that home care focuses mainly on daily living, while complex care combines these everyday routines with medical and specialist support. Both aim to promote independence and quality of life, but complex care offers a higher level of expertise for those who need it.
Benefits of complex care at home
Having complex care at home offers many advantages for both the individual and their family.
Some of the key benefits include:
- Comfort of home – staying in familiar surroundings rather than moving into a residential setting
- Personalised support – care plans tailored to specific medical conditions and personal routines
- One to one attention – dedicated carers who can give full focus to the person they support
- Independence – enabling people to continue daily activities and make choices about their lives
- Family reassurance – peace of mind that a loved one is safe and professionally supported
- Flexibility – care can be adapted as needs change, whether short term after hospital discharge or long term for ongoing conditions
For many families, the biggest benefit is knowing that complex health needs are being managed safely, while life at home continues as normally as possible.
Arrange live-in complex care for the elderly in 3 easy steps
Do you want to find out more about live-in complex care for the elderly at home? If you’re thinking this may be the right option for a parent or relative, we’re happy to talk things through with you. It really is that simple.
1) Call our friendly care team
If you think live-in elderly care in your own home may be the right option for you, call our friendly team today on 0800 471 4741. You can also email us to arrange someone to call you back at a time convenient for you.
2) Talk to an expert
A Customer Care Partner will discuss your care requirements and the type of live-in carer you’re looking to employ.
3) Choose the right Carer
We’ll find a selection of live-in carers who suit your requirements. We are they every step of the way with advice and help.
Frequently asked questions
What is complex care in health and social care?
Complex care is specialist support for people with long term or serious health conditions. It often includes medical tasks such as feeding tube support, stoma or catheter care, or managing symptoms of neurological conditions.
What conditions are classed as complex needs?
Conditions that often require complex care include brain or spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease, Huntington’s, stroke recovery, and long term use of medical equipment such as feeding tubes.
Can complex care be provided at home?
Yes. Complex care is often delivered at home through live in care or visiting care. This allows people to stay in familiar surroundings while still receiving medical and personal support.
What is the difference between complex care and nursing care?
Nursing care is delivered directly by a qualified nurse, usually in a hospital or nursing home. Complex care may be delivered at home by trained carers, with input and oversight from nurses when required.
How long can complex care last?
Complex care can be arranged for as long as it is needed. Some people require short term support after leaving hospital, while others may need long term or lifelong care for progressive conditions.