Deciding to hospitalize a family member with Alzheimer's disease or dementia in a medical facility is a very difficult decision to face. Alzheimer's disease is a cognitive disease. As the disease progresses, it also affects physical abilities. When a family member has been the patient's sole caregiver, feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and failure may surround the decision. However, there are numerous reasons to move a family member into a nursing home. The Alzheimer's patient would benefit from moving to a medical facility because they will have trained medical staff, 24-hour care, and a safe, structured environment. An Alzheimer's patient needs adequate medical care. A common family caregiver concern is the patient's decreased longevity. Peterson, Fillenbaum, Pieper, and Heyman, in their study, concluded that there are many factors as to why an Alzheimer's patient should be placed in a nursing home; however, longevity should not be a factor as there is no change in the patient's lifespan (2008). In the facility the patient would train the doctors...