It's never an easy decision to send a loved one, such as a parent, to a nursing home. You may have done your best to provide in-home care until you simply could not anymore. People with degenerative physical and mental conditions need extra support. Those with medical issues like dementia and Alzheimer's disease may also need more care than a family member can provide. Especially if you have a job and children of your own, the amount of care can quickly exceed what you can offer.