Your aging parents may not be able to live by themselves eventually. Family may not be able to move into their home with them, and the cost of hiring a private caregiver is high. If your parents are unable to drive or leave their home unassisted, it may be difficult for them to pick up medications or groceries.

Nursing home placement would be an option when your parents have problems such as disorientation, confusion, dementia, memory loss and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Placing your parents in a nursing home may be an option based on an increased number of falls or on decreased mobility. Either of these conditions could be related to surgery or to the progression of diseases.

Some elderly parents need assistance with activities such as dressing, bathing, toileting, eating, transferring and caring for incontinent episodes.

Nursing home placement can be a temporary solution, if your loved one is recovering from surgery or a sudden illness. Your elderly parent may reach a level when she is mentally and physically rehabilitated to a point that she can return home.