My mom taught multiply handicapped kids and often brought them home for observation/further treatment. I grew up sort of thinking it was super common so I just needed to be ready. In retrospect I understand it's wacky thinking but hey, it worked out well.

In my case, we had a grandparent living with us for more than ten years when growing up. Living in a multigenerational household, and having friends and family who did the same, gave me the certainty that that's what I wanted for my family as well. It's not without its challenges, but it's unthinkable for me, my wife, or any of our extended family to put our parents in a nursing home. I have one cousin whose parents live about five houses up the road from his family -- that's an ideal situation AFAIC.