Deducting Senior Living Expense for a Parent on my return. Can I claim her as a dependent on my return?

[pcfucci]

My Mom lives in an Assisted Living facility in their Memory Care Unit and has a small portion of SSA money to contribute to her monthly rent at this facility.  I pay the balance.  She still owns a home, but it is vacant now.  Her only income is her Social Security check, but his doesn't come close to covering her Memory Care Unit expenses.  I pay her rent balance at this facility and the taxes and utilities on her existing home.  Can I deduct her Senior Living Facility expenses as a medical deduction on my taxes and can I claim her as a dependent on my tax return?

[AnnetteB]

Please take a look at the information in the link provided below.  It is a resource from the IRS which mirrors your question very closely.  

Based on the reference and the details you provided, it sounds as if your mother would qualify as your dependent and the expenses may be deductible, depending on whether she is there for medical reasons or not. 

Medical expense for nursing home care