My parent has several chronic health conditions and needs a caregiver at home to help with daily activities. How do I know when it is time to consider an assisted living facility or nursing home?

Most seniors hope to remain in their own home as long as possible and, with the right support, it is feasible. But there may come a point when home care is no longer enough to meet a person’s medical, safety or social needs. While moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home is never easy, recognizing the signs that it is time to move will prevent a potential crisis and make the transition less stressful.

Assessing the situation and considering the factors below is helpful in determining whether it may be time to begin exploring other care options for your parent.

Expense of Home Care

Eight to ten hours of care a day, seven days a week, may cost $100,000 a year or more depending on the type of care. This potential cost is well above the median annual cost of a one-bedroom assisted living apartment (about $70,000), though it is still less than a private room in a nursing home (about $128,000), according to a recent survey.

Amount of Medical Care Needed

If your parent needs ongoing nursing care or frequent medical monitoring, a nursing home may be the better choice. If your parent mainly needs help with daily activities, assisted living may be sufficient.

Fall Risks, Missed Medications or Frequent Hospital Visits

Frequent falls, medication mistakes and repeated hospitalizations are often signs that living at home is becoming unsafe.

Signs of Dementia

Wandering, confusion or unsafe behaviors can make home care increasingly difficult. Memory care communities provide a secure environment and specially trained staff.

Multiple Caregivers Needed

If your parent requires two or more people to assist with transfers, bathing or toileting, both the cost and safety risks of home care rise significantly.

Safety of the Home

Stairs, narrow bathrooms and the lack of safety features like grab bars or a walk-in shower can increase the risk of falls. Home modifications may help but assess the home for other safety risks.

Self-Isolation or Neglecting Personal Care

Loneliness, poor nutrition, weight loss or neglecting bathing and grooming can all signal that your parent needs more support than is being provided at home.

Caregiving Becoming Overwhelming

If you are constantly worried, sleep-deprived or neglecting your own health, it may be time to consider a higher level of care. Planning ahead gives your family more choices and helps avoid rushed decisions during a medical emergency.

Keep in mind that Medicare generally does not pay for long-term stays in assisted living or nursing homes. Medicare only covers limited skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay. Understanding what Medicare covers, and what it does not, helps you avoid costly surprises.

If you are unsure what level of care your parent needs, consider consulting with a professional from the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) to assess your parent’s situation and recommend appropriate options. An initial assessment may cost $800 or more. You may also consider using a senior care advising service, which typically provides free guidance as they are compensated by participating care communities when and if a family member chooses a community through their referral.

To research facilities online, visit Caring.com. For Medicare-certified nursing homes, use Medicare’s Care Compare tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare. You can also contact your local long-term care ombudsman (ltcombudsman.org) to learn about complaints or quality concerns involving facilities you are considering.

The best time to choose a care community is before a crisis forces the decision, giving your parent more choices and your family greater peace of mind.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.