A Plain-Language Guide to Common Terms Families Use When Seeking Care

When families or individuals are looking for care, they often rely on short phrases to describe their needs.

“Complex care.”
“Hands-on.”
“High support needs.”
“Experience with autism.”
“Flexible schedule.”

These terms appear frequently in care posts, messages, and conversations. To someone outside of care, they may sound straightforward. To families living this reality, they often carry additional context that is not always obvious.

This guide explains how certain terms are commonly used by people seeking care, what they may be trying to communicate, and why the same phrase can mean different things in different situations. It does not define requirements, set expectations, or recommend how care should be provided.

A Note on Scope and Language

There is no single, correct way to describe care needs.

Families use different words based on their experiences, culture, urgency, and what they have learned over time. The same phrase can mean very different things from one household to another.

The explanations below reflect patterns in how language is often used, not rules or definitions.

Common Terms and How They Are Often Used

“Complex Care”

How the term is often used:
As a way for families to signal that care needs go beyond occasional help.

What families may be trying to communicate:
That support could be ongoing, multifaceted, or require consistency across the day.

Why this term can vary:
What feels complex to one family may feel familiar to another. Many families find it helpful to explain what makes care complex in their specific situation rather than relying on the term alone.

“Hands-On Care”

How the term is often used:
To indicate that care involves physical assistance.

What families may be trying to communicate:
That support could include help with daily routines such as mobility, personal care, or other physical tasks.

Why this term can vary:
“Hands-on” can describe a wide range of physical involvement. Families often clarify the type or frequency of assistance to reduce assumptions.

“High Needs” or “High Support Needs”

How the term is often used:
As shorthand to describe care that requires sustained attention.

What families may be trying to communicate:
That care may be time-intensive, physically demanding, emotionally demanding, or require close supervision.

Why this term can vary:
There is no shared definition of “high needs.” Families often use it as a starting point rather than a complete description.

“Experience With Autism, Disability, or Medical Needs”

How the term is often used:
To describe familiarity with certain diagnoses or lived experiences.

What families may be trying to communicate:
That prior exposure to similar routines, communication styles, or support needs may be helpful.

Why this term can vary:
Experience can come from many places and look very different person to person. Families often expand on what kind of experience feels relevant to them.

“Comfortable With Behaviors”

How the term is often used:
To acknowledge that certain behaviors may be part of daily life.

What families may be trying to communicate:
That emotional regulation challenges, sensory differences, or communication needs could be present.

Why this term can vary:
“Behaviors” is broad and nonspecific. Families often clarify what they are referring to so expectations are better aligned.

“Flexible Schedule”

How the term is often used:
To describe care needs that are not fixed.

What families may be trying to communicate:
That timing, duration, or frequency of care may change depending on circumstances.

Why this term can vary:
Flexibility might mean occasional changes or frequent unpredictability. Families often share more detail to reduce uncertainty.

“Respite Care”

How the term is often used:
To describe short-term care support.

What families may be trying to communicate:
That care is intended to provide temporary coverage so family members can rest, work, or attend to other responsibilities.

Why this term can vary:
Respite can look different depending on duration, frequency, and context.

“Independent”

How the term is often used:
To describe the person receiving care.

What families may be trying to communicate:
That the individual may do many things on their own while still needing support in certain areas.

Why this term can vary:
Independence exists on a spectrum and often changes over time.

Why This Language Can Be Hard to Interpret

Families often learn this language gradually, through experience. Because there are no universal definitions, misunderstandings are common.

Clarifying language is not about being more formal or detailed. It is about helping others understand what matters most in a specific situation.

A Final Note

This guide is informational only. It reflects how language is commonly used, not how care should be provided or what anyone is required to do.

If there is a term you see often and find confusing, or one you struggle to describe yourself, that is common.

You can always share feedback or questions at community@truly.care.

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