What Is Classed as Complex Disability Care?
People living with a disability have unique needs – for some, those needs are highly complex and require layered, specialised support. At Unidex Healthcare, we work closely with individuals who experience what is known as a complex disability. This article will help you understand what that means, how it differs from other disabilities, and what support options are available.
What Does “Complex Disability Care” Mean?
Complex disability care typically refers to a situation where a person lives with:
- Multiple disabilities, or
- A primary disability with additional medical, behavioural, or cognitive needs that require high levels of support across multiple areas of life.
These individuals often:
- Need specialist or clinical oversight
- Have increased risks to health and safety
- Require intervention from more than one service area (e.g. clinical nursing – behavioural therapy)
Examples of Complex Disability Care
Complex disability care might include:
- Physical disabilities such as Spinal Cord Injuries where a person may require stoma or catheter cares
- Intellectual disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder that are often combined with other disabilities
- Mental health conditions that require coordinated psychological and physical health requirements
- Chronic health conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy that coexist with other disabilities and require more intensive management
In short: it’s not just about the diagnosis, but the overall picture of care, safety, communication, and coordination.
Why Complex Disability Care Requires Specialist Support
People with complex disabilities often:
- Face higher risks of hospitalisation
- Have lower levels of independence
- May struggle to engage with traditional services that aren’t equipped for multifaceted needs
That’s where providers like Unidex Healthcare come in – offering:
- Clinically led disability support teams
- Specialist Clinical Coordinators to oversee care plans
- Tailored service matching with trained Support Workers
- Coordination with medical teams, hospitals, and allied health professionals
How Does the NDIS Define Complex Support Needs?
While the NDIS doesn’t have a single “complex disability care” category, it does recognise:
- Participants with complex support needs
- High Intensity Supports, such as:
- Enteral feeding
- Tracheostomy management
- Complex bowel care
- Severe behavioural support
- Seizure management
Participants with these needs often require a provider with clinical experience and robust risk management procedures – like Unidex.
Who Might Be Considered to Have Complex Disability Care?
A person may be considered to have complex disability care if they:
- Have difficulty communicating needs clearly
- Require clinical procedures as part of daily life
- Present with challenging or unsafe behaviours
- Need 24/7 support or active overnight assistance
- Are impacted by compounding social and medical issues (e.g. housing, trauma, or co-occurring mental health conditions)
How Unidex Supports People with Complex Disability Cares
At Unidex Healthcare, we pride ourselves on delivering:
- Compassionate, clinically safe care
- Workforce matching based on skill, experience, and rapport
- Ongoing training for our Support Workers in areas such as restrictive practices, PEG feeding, seizure management, and behavioural support
- A strong track record of reducing hospital admissions, increasing engagement, and empowering participant choice
Our goal? Enabling clinical care. Enabling joy.
In Summary
Complex Disability Care Snapshot
- Multiple, layered support needs
- Often involves medical, cognitive & behavioural challenges
- May require clinical intervention or high-risk management
- Requires a specialist, experienced provider
Do You Work With a Participant With Complex Needs?
If you’re a hospital discharge planner, support coordinator, or family member supporting someone with complex needs – we’d love to hear from you. Let’s explore how Unidex can help deliver the right care, in the right way, at the right time.
