Population ageing has resulted in a growing number of older adults living with multiple long-term conditions, functional limitations, cognitive decline, mental health challenges and social vulnerabilities. These interconnected needs frequently transcend the boundaries of conventional health and social care systems, creating fragmented service experiences and inconsistent care outcomes. This study aims to develop and validate an integrated framework for understanding complex needs in later life by examining how person-centred care, multidisciplinary care coordination, social support and technology-enabled services contribute to the quality of life of older adults.
A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design is proposed. In Phase I, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with older adults, informal carers, healthcare professionals and social care practitioners to explore lived experiences of managing complex needs. Thematic analysis will identify the principal dimensions influencing integrated care delivery. In Phase II, findings from the qualitative phase will inform the development of a structured questionnaire administered to a larger sample of older adults and caregivers. Structural equation modelling will be employed to examine the relationships among integrated care, care coordination, technology utilisation, social support and quality of life. Integration of qualitative and quantitative findings will generate meta-inferences to explain how multidimensional care practices can better address complex needs in later life.
The study is expected to demonstrate that integrated person-centred care improves quality of life by strengthening care coordination, enhancing communication among stakeholders, increasing caregiver support and facilitating appropriate technology adoption. The qualitative findings are anticipated to reveal practical barriers related to fragmented services, while the quantitative analysis is expected to validate the pathways through which coordinated care contributes to improved physical, psychological and social well-being.
The study is limited by its cross-sectional quantitative design and its focus on selected regions of India, which may restrict causal inference and the broader generalisability of the findings. Future research should use longitudinal and cross-cultural designs to examine the long-term effectiveness and applicability of the proposed integrated care framework across diverse healthcare settings.
The proposed framework offers evidence-based guidance for healthcare providers, policymakers and community organisations seeking to redesign services for older adults with complex needs. It provides practical recommendations for integrating health and social care, supporting caregivers and promoting ageing in place through collaborative service delivery.
This study highlights the importance of integrated, person-centred care in improving the quality of life of older adults by strengthening collaboration among healthcare providers, caregivers and community services. The proposed framework supports the development of inclusive ageing policies, promotes caregiver participation and facilitates equitable access to coordinated health and social care, thereby contributing to healthy ageing and ageing in place.
The study advances current understanding of complexity in later life by integrating lived experiences with empirical model validation. Rather than focusing on individual diseases or isolated interventions, it conceptualises complex needs as a multidimensional phenomenon requiring coordinated, person-centred and context-sensitive responses. The proposed framework contributes to both gerontological theory and practical service innovation.
