:

Can a doctor force a patient into a nursing home? Understanding your rights

As of September 2025, approximately 7.2 million people aged 65 or older are living with Alzheimer's dementia in the U.S., a common reason for care needs. However, the prospect of an involuntary move raises a critical legal and ethical question: **can a doctor force a patient into a nursing home?** The short answer is no, a doctor cannot unilaterally place a competent adult patient in a nursing home against their will, but the process becomes complex if the patient lacks the mental capacity to make their own decisions.