Families put deep trust in a nursing home, then worry when signs of poor care creep in. We hear the same stories again and again, from call lights going unanswered to preventable injuries and hidden mistakes.
At Zweben Law Group, we focus on personal injury and wrongful death, and we stand up for residents harmed in long-term care. This article explains the most common complaints, your loved one’s rights, and clear steps you can take right now.
Insufficient Staffing: A Pervasive Problem
Too few staff often means missed medications, skipped repositioning, and limited assistance with activities such as bathing, toileting, and meals. Residents lose out on genuine human interaction, and the risks of falls, bed sores, and infections increase. Over time, that chips away at dignity and health.
- Hygiene suffers, including infrequent bathing and dirty clothes or bedding.
- Social connection can fade when there are limited activities or a lack of one-on-one attention.
- Medical needs get delayed, from wound care to timely pain control.
When daily care is rushed, quality of life drops and harm becomes more likely.
Substandard Care and Unsafe Living Conditions
Every nursing home should provide a safe and clean setting that meets the basic needs of its residents. This includes fall prevention, adequate food and fluids, infection control, and monitoring for any medical changes. When these basics are overlooked, residents face preventable illnesses and injuries.
- Inadequate safety measures, such as poor lighting or malfunctioning equipment, can lead to falls.
- Malnutrition or dehydration from lack of meals, help, or poor monitoring.
- Unmanaged medical issues that cause bedsores, UTIs, or sepsis.
- Poor hygiene in rooms, bathrooms, and common areas spreads germs.
Facilities should implement preventive plans, train staff effectively, and maintain clean living areas to protect residents from avoidable harm.
Abuse, Neglect, and Mistreatment: A Grave Concern
Mistreatment often grows where staffing is thin, training is weak, or a caregiver chooses shortcuts. Some abuse is physical, some is verbal, and some involves money. Families often sense that something is wrong long before anyone acknowledges it.
- Physical abuse, such as hitting or using restraints that are not medically needed.
- Neglect, such as failing to provide food, water, hygiene, or medical treatment.
- Sexual assault means any unwanted sexual activity.
- Emotional abuse, including threats, humiliation, or isolation.
- Financial exploitation, such as misuse of funds or property.
Many incidents never reach a report, which hides the scope of the problem and shows why strong advocates matter.
| Complaint | Red Flags to Watch | Quick First Steps |
| Understaffing | Long waits after pressing the call light, rushed care, skipped showers | Log delays by date and time, request a care meeting, ask for a staffing plan |
| Unsafe conditions | Wet floors, poor lighting, bed rails misused, and dirty bathrooms | Take photos, report hazards to administration, and request fall-risk review |
| Abuse or neglect | Unexplained bruises, fear around staff, sudden weight loss | Document injuries, ask for a doctor exam, contact the ombudsman, or state agency |
If there is an immediate danger, call 911 and then file written complaints with the proper authorities.
How to Address Nursing Home Problems
Good records and clear complaints yield results more quickly. Be specific and stick to facts, then follow up in writing.
- Document every incident, including dates, times, names, and a brief description. Photos help.
- Report the issue to the nursing home administration to request a prompt resolution.
- Submit anonymous complaints to state licensing agencies or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services if needed.
- Ask the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to advocate on behalf of the resident.
- Use your right to file complaints without retaliation, supported by Section 483.10(j)(1) of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Keep a notebook or digital file, and save copies of letters, emails, and responses.
The Nursing Home Grievance Process
Every nursing home must appoint a Grievance Official who accepts, investigates, and answers grievances. You can make a grievance orally or in writing, but the facility’s response must be in writing. Each nursing home must post its grievance steps and the Grievance Official’s contact information, and provide the full policy on request.
The nursing home’s written response must include all of the following:
- The date the grievance was received.
- A summary of the grievance.
- Steps taken to investigate the grievance.
- A summary of the nursing home’s conclusions following the investigation.
- A statement as to whether the grievance was confirmed or not.
- Any corrective action taken by the nursing home, and
- The date of the written response.
If a response appears thin or avoids the issue, request clarification in writing and note any missed deadlines.
We Go The Extra Mile For You! Contact Us for Skilled Assistance
At Zweben Law Group, our team has spent more than two decades fighting for people hurt by neglect and mistreatment in nursing homes. We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases with steady communication and real care for your family’s needs. If you would like to discuss what happened, please call us at 772-223-5454 or contact us through our Contact Us page. We welcome your questions and are ready to review your case and discuss next steps that fit your goals.
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