"I am caring for my mother R, who is 91 years old, living at home with age-related decline, alzheimer's / dementia, depression, and vision problems."
The short answer is: any time you are done being her caregiver and there are no other options (not that a NH is a "bad" option).
Legally, if you are her PoA and she has enough cognitive incapacity that your PoA authority is now activated (usually requires a medical diagnosis) then you can transition her any time you wish, as long as it can be paid for. Depending on her needs (AL, MC or LTC) you may need to discuss first with an elder law attorney/estate planner and/or a Medicaid Planner for your state.
For many caregivers, certain behaviors are "the last straw", like constant verbal abuse, violence, incontinence, or lack of mobility and non-ADA compliant living situation, exhaustion, etc. But again, there is no outside magic line that has to be crossed: only that you wish to stop being the primary caregiver -- and that is the most legitimate reason.
There are, of course, no rules about this. Mostly it has to do with safety. If the person is no longer safe at home, even with care, then it's probably high time for them to be somewhere to be cared for 24/7. By safe, I don't mean to count falling in this. Cuz falls happen everywhere and can not be prevented, except by making sure the physical environment is safe.
It also has to do with if the person caring for them is still up for the task. If they are burnt out and can no longer provide the proper care, then there's another valid reason to make a placement.
"I am caring for my mother R, who is 91 years old, living at home with age-related decline, alzheimer's / dementia, depression, and vision problems."
The short answer is: any time you are done being her caregiver and there are no other options (not that a NH is a "bad" option).
Legally, if you are her PoA and she has enough cognitive incapacity that your PoA authority is now activated (usually requires a medical diagnosis) then you can transition her any time you wish, as long as it can be paid for. Depending on her needs (AL, MC or LTC) you may need to discuss first with an elder law attorney/estate planner and/or a Medicaid Planner for your state.
For many caregivers, certain behaviors are "the last straw", like constant verbal abuse, violence, incontinence, or lack of mobility and non-ADA compliant living situation, exhaustion, etc. But again, there is no outside magic line that has to be crossed: only that you wish to stop being the primary caregiver -- and that is the most legitimate reason.
It also has to do with if the person caring for them is still up for the task. If they are burnt out and can no longer provide the proper care, then there's another valid reason to make a placement.
What's your situation?