What Are the 3 Most Common Complaints About Nursing Homes?

Choosing a nursing home for a loved one is never easy. Families trust these facilities to provide compassionate care, protect residents’ dignity, and ensure their safety. Unfortunately, complaints against nursing homes are far more common than many people realize. According to government reports and elder advocacy organizations, thousands of complaints are filed each year, ranging from minor concerns to serious allegations of abuse and neglect.

Understanding the most common complaints about nursing homes can help families recognize warning signs early and take action when something isn’t right. Below are the three most frequently reported issues—and why they matter so much.

1. Neglect and Inadequate Care

Neglect is consistently the most common and most serious complaint made against nursing homes. While neglect doesn’t always involve intentional harm, its consequences can be devastating.

What Does Nursing Home Neglect Look Like?

Neglect occurs when staff fail to meet a resident’s basic needs. 

Common examples include:

• Poor personal hygiene (dirty clothing, unwashed hair, unchanged bedding)
• Missed medications or incorrect dosages
• Dehydration or malnutrition
• Untreated bedsores (pressure ulcers)
• Failure to assist with mobility, leading to falls
• Ignoring calls for help

In many cases, neglect stems from understaffing. When facilities lack enough trained caregivers, even well-intentioned employees may be unable to provide adequate attention to each resident.

Why Neglect Is So Dangerous

Elderly residents are often physically fragile and medically vulnerable. A missed meal, skipped medication, or untreated wound can quickly turn into a medical emergency. Bedsores, for example, can become infected and even life-threatening if left untreated.

Neglect can also cause emotional harm. Residents who feel ignored or helpless may experience depression, anxiety, or rapid cognitive decline.

Warning Signs Families Should Watch For

Here are some of the main signs to look out for: 

• Sudden weight loss
• Repeated infections or hospital visits
• Poor hygiene or strong odors
• Unexplained injuries
• Staff who seem rushed, inattentive, or dismissive

If neglect is suspected, families should document concerns, request care plan reviews, and consider reporting the facility to state authorities.

2. Abuse by Staff or Other Residents

Abuse is another alarmingly common complaint—and one of the most disturbing. Nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial, and it can be committed by staff members or other residents.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Here are some of the most common types of abuse: 

• Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing, restraining, or rough handling
• Emotional abuse: Yelling, humiliating, threatening, or isolating residents
• Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact
• Financial abuse: Theft, coercion, or misuse of a resident’s money or property

Abuse often goes unreported because residents may be afraid, cognitively impaired, or unable to communicate what’s happening.

Why Abuse Happens in Nursing Homes

Common contributing factors include:

• Poor staff training
• Inadequate background checks
• Chronic understaffing
• High employee turnover
• Lack of supervision or accountability

Facilities that fail to properly screen, train, and monitor employees put residents at serious risk.

Red Flags of Possible Abuse

Look out for these red flags, which may indicate abuse: 

• Bruises, cuts, or fractures with unclear explanations
• Sudden fearfulness or withdrawal
• Personality changes or agitation
• Torn clothing or signs of restraint
• Unusual financial transactions or missing belongings

Any suspicion of abuse should be taken seriously. Families may need to contact Adult Protective Services, long-term care ombudsmen, or law enforcement, depending on the severity of the situation.

3. Poor Living Conditions and Safety Issues

Another frequent complaint involves unsafe or unsanitary living conditions. While nursing homes are required to meet strict health and safety standards, some facilities fall short.

Common Facility-Related Complaints

Some of the most common facility-related complaints are: 

• Dirty rooms or bathrooms
• Infestations (bed bugs, roaches, rodents)
• Mold or unpleasant odors
• Broken handrails, call buttons, or medical equipment
• Inadequate lighting or wheelchair access
• Unsafe staffing practices during overnight shifts

Poor conditions not only diminish quality of life but also increase the risk of injuries, infections, and illness.

How Safety Failures Affect Residents

Environmental hazards can lead to serious accidents, including slips, falls, and fires. Unsanitary conditions can cause outbreaks of flu, COVID-19, gastrointestinal illness, or skin infections—particularly dangerous for elderly residents with weakened immune systems.

When facilities cut corners on maintenance or cleanliness, residents often pay the price.

What Families Can Do

If you have a loved one in a nursing home and suspect abuse, consider: 

• Visiting frequently and at different times of day
• Paying attention to cleanliness, odors, and maintenance issues
• Asking about inspection reports and state violations
• Speaking with other residents or families about their experiences

Facilities with repeated safety violations may indicate deeper systemic problems.

What to Do If You Have Concerns About a Nursing Home

If you suspect neglect, abuse, or unsafe conditions in a nursing home, trust your instincts. 

Steps families can take include:

1. Documenting concerns with dates, photos, and written notes
2. Reporting issues to facility administrators
3. Filing complaints with state licensing agencies or ombudsmen
4. Seeking medical evaluations for injuries or sudden health changes
5. Consulting an attorney experienced in nursing home abuse or neglect cases

Prompt action can help protect your loved one and prevent harm to others.

Contact Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation 

Nursing homes are supposed to be safe places where residents receive the care, respect, and dignity they deserve. Unfortunately, many families discover that their loved ones are suffering due to neglect, abuse, or unsafe living conditions. These three issues are the most common complaints against nursing homes—and they can cause serious physical, emotional, and financial harm.

If you suspect that a nursing home has failed to protect your loved one, you don’t have to face the situation alone. Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers offers free, confidential consultations to help you understand your legal options and determine the best next steps. There is no cost to speak with an attorney, and no obligation to move forward—just clear guidance and support when you need it most.

If you’ve been injured in Seattle, WA, and need legal assistance, contact Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. Contact our legal team and schedule a free consultation with a [PRACTICE AREA] lawyer today. We proudly serve King County in Washington and its surrounding areas. Visit our law office at:

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