COVER STORY: The changing face of complex care

Caregivers today are navigating an increasingly complex world of care, with rising numbers of residents living with conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. With dementia cases expected to climb by 42 per cent in the next 15 years and Parkinson’s projected to double by 2050, the landscape is shifting rapidly, and care homes are having to evolve to meet these growing needs.

Demystifying the dementia care landscape

Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition that affects memory, problem-solving, language, and behaviour. Although there are over 100 types of dementia, each with its own set of symptoms, they all share one characteristic: the profound impact they have on the lives of those diagnosed – and the people who care for them.

So, what does the most recent data tell us about the dementia landscape of tomorrow?

Around 982,000 people are currently living with dementia in the UK,¹ including approximately 70,800 people with youngonset dementia.2 But with more people living with complex care conditions for longer, the number of people with dementia is expected to soar to 1.4 million by 2040. This upward trend places additional pressure on care homes, both in terms of beds needed and staff required.

We know from experience that social care is already hard at work delivering thoughtful, person-centred dementia care at scale and pace. For residents to feel safe, secure and fully understood, a warm, welcoming environment – staffed with skilled, compassionate practitioners – is half the battle. But what does dementia care best practice actually look like, now and for the future?

Designing for dementia

Even at the best of times, dementia care can be demanding. It asks a lot of carers, especially those supporting people in the later stages of the syndrome. Recognising this, the care community prioritises routine and consistency, and with good reason. Consistency is key to reducing resident distress. However, carers also need the flexibility to respond sensitively to an individual’s changing needs. Each person’s experience is unique, and it is this uniqueness that makes personalised care essential rather than optional.

Delivering personalised care to increasing numbers of residents living with the condition is easier said than done, however. Care providers should consider how they plan to sustain this, be that through innovations or simple additions that empower residents in meaningful ways.

Supportive spaces can make a significant difference. According to NHS England, this includes everything from straightforward flooring designs to signage and sensory areas that promote calm and reduce overstimulation. Colour coding can also help residents to differentiate fixtures and fittings more easily from their surroundings, not only in utilities and furniture but also in plates, bowls and utensils.

For instance, CareHomeLife’s colour-coded ORNAMIN range, which features unobtrusive aids that enable residents with dementia to dine independently and with dignity, is specially designed to empower people with dementia. 

Similarly, Nilaqua – a waterless personal care and hygiene solution – offers residents who may find traditional bathing challenging the opportunity to manage their own personal care comfortably and with privacy. If independent traditional bathing is still an option for a person, simply placing a visual reminder of the bathing sequence in the shower can be a big help.

Often, it is thoughtful and relatively understated adaptations like these that redefine the day-to-day wellbeing of residents the most. The key is considering what each individual needs to live as fully and comfortably as possible.

The untold benefits of exercise

It is worth remembering that dementia is just one aspect of the complex care landscape. According to a 2025 study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), global cases of Parkinson’s are projected to reach 25 million by 2050.3 This is more than double the number of cases in 2021, making Parkinson’s the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world today. The steep rise in cases is attributed to people living for longer. While age remains the single biggest risk factor, genetics also influence susceptibility, and environmental exposure to toxins has also been linked to increased risk.

Like dementia, Parkinson’s – a movement disorder of the nervous system that progresses over time – presents a range of complex care requirements, including challenges associated with movement, memory, and motivation. So, with resident independence and quality of care at stake, what practical steps can caregivers take to support the growing number of people living with Parkinson’s?

One proven approach is regular exercise, which offers significant physical and mental benefits. Both Parkinson’s and some forms of dementia are linked to reduced dopamine, a hormone essential for movement, memory, and motivation. Exercise can help stimulate dopamine production in people with Parkinson’s and is widely recommended in care settings. It can also support those living with dementia by easing physical symptoms and helping maintain cognitive function.

Research shows that just 2.5 hours of exercise per week can help people with Parkinson’s manage their symptoms more effectively.4 Activities such as walking, yoga and tailored exercise programmes can all support mobility, flexibility, balance, strength and overall wellbeing. Despite these benefits, activity levels in England are declining and remain lowest among older adults.⁵

Muscle mass is another piece of the complex care puzzle. Strength is one of the most important neurological safeguards we have. And yet, as we age, muscle mass is naturally lost, impacting balance, reaction times and fall risk. We do less physically, often at the insistence of well-intentioned loved ones, but this mindset can have a profoundly negative effect on our health and wellbeing. Without regular use, muscles atrophy – making basic movement all the more difficult.

Given that one in three people with Parkinson’s will go on to develop dementia,6 exercise has the potential to improve quality of life, both now and in the future, as individual care needs evolve. Simply put, where resident exercise is concerned, everybody wins.

Futureproofing complex care

Clearly, the complex care landscape is evolving, and we have only just begun to understand what lies ahead. This makes 2026 the perfect time for CareHomeLife to expand its support to care homes to help them deliver the same level of compassionate, person-centred care to a growing number of residents with complex care needs.

Whether it is through long-term care strategies or thoughtful choices in careenhancing products that support resident independence and dignity, the conversations we are having today will ensure the residents of tomorrow have access to the quality care they deserve. Now, more than ever, we need to build resilience into our care provision. But building resilience does not have to mean prohibitive costs – it is about making smart, sustainable choices that honour residents and care workers alike. 

To find out how CareHomeLife partners with the care community and learn more about our innovative complex care products, including the ORNAMIN and Nilaqua ranges, visit carehomelife.co.uk

 

 

References
1 Prevalence and incidence of dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK (May 2024)
2 Subtypes of dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK (May 2022)
3 Global cases of Parkinson’s predicted to rise to 25 million by 2050, Parkinson’s UK (May 2022)
4 Physical activity and exercise, Parkinson’s UK
5 Healthy Ageing: physical activity in an ageing society, UK Parliament(August 2025)
6 Parkinson’s disease dementia, Parkinson’s UK