Supporting Independence at Home for Adults with Complex Needs

Complex needs refer to situations where a person requires support in multiple areas of life due to significant physical, intellectual, or mental health disabilities. These needs often overlap and can make daily activities more difficult without specialised assistance. People with complex disability support needs usually require tailored, coordinated care to live safely and independently. Independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone. For many adults with disabilities, it means being able to make choices, manage personal routines, and live in a space that accommodates their health and safety needs. NDIS supports like Supported Independent Living (SIL), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), and Specialist Support Coordination are making it possible for more Australians with complex needs to live with greater independence and dignity.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) refers to daily support and services that assist participants with essential life skills such as personal care, cooking, cleaning, and taking medication. These supports are usually provided in shared living arrangements but are personalised to the goals and capacity of each individual. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) refers to specially designed homes for individuals with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. These homes include structural features
such as wide doorways, hoist systems, or fully accessible bathrooms to enable participants to live more independently and safely. When used together, SIL and SDA provide suitable living environment along with the right disability support to NDIS participants. For participants with complex needs, navigating NDIS services and supports can be overwhelming. NDIS Specialist Support Coordination is a higher level of support that helps them overcome significant barriers, navigate crisis situations, and coordinate multiple NDIS services. A specialist support coordinator works with the participant and their network to create and implement a plan that ensures all supports work effectively together. This ensures that the participants don’t just live in a home but they are equipped to live well and maintain long-term stability in their homes.

Aastha Community Services is a registered NDIS service provider supporting participants with complex needs through personalised care and accessible living solutions. Our team works closely with participants and families to build independence and deliver meaningful, long-term outcomes. Contact us today to access disability support and services in and around Perth and across Western Australia.