Nursing Home Neglect Warning Signs: How Do You Tell If Your Parent Is Being Mistreated?
Placing a parent in a nursing home is one of the hardest decisions a family can make. You expect your loved one to be cared for with respect and dignity. But what if something feels off? A nagging feeling. A look in your parent’s eyes. A shift in their mood. Are these nursing home neglect warnings signs?
That gut feeling is worth listening to.
We have handled hundreds of nursing home cases. Neglect in nursing homes isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it’s the little things—things that, when added up, spell out a much bigger problem. In this guide, we break down the most common red flags, so you can recognize nursing home neglect warning signs and act quickly.
Nursing Home Neglect Warning Signs #1: Unexplained Injuries or Bedsores
If your loved one has bruises, cuts, or worse—bedsores—this is more than a red flag. It’s often a result of poor care, lack of repositioning, or even rough handling. We have had many cases where the first time a family learns of a bed sore is at a hospital after their loved one has been discharged from the nursing home. As one case study from U.S. News noted, a retired teacher developed infected bedsores simply because staff failed to check on him regularly.
What to do: Ask for a full explanation of any injury. Request incident reports and medical assessments. Don’t accept vague answers.
Nursing Home Neglect Warning Signs #2: Dirty Clothes, Unbrushed Hair, or Soiled Bedding
If your parent looks unkempt, smells of urine, or their bed is unchanged, that’s not just poor service—it’s neglect. Facilities sometimes deprioritize basic grooming when they’re understaffed. We had one case where a man’s mother developed living maggots in her wound.
What to do: Ask about their bathing and grooming schedule. Make unannounced visits to confirm it’s being followed.
#3: Constant Staff Turnover
Do you see a new face every time you visit? High staff turnover often means deeper issues like burnout, poor management, or low morale. It also means your parent isn’t receiving consistent care from people who understand their needs.
What to do: Ask to meet the care team. Track who is providing care to your loved one from visit to visit.
#4: Unanswered Call Bells or Delayed Assistance
Hearing call bells ring endlessly is a huge sign of understaffing. If your parent is waiting too long for help getting up, going to the bathroom, or managing pain, it can lead to both physical and emotional harm. We have had cases where loves ones have choked to death because call bells weren’t answered.
What to do: Time how long it takes for your loved one to receive help. Document delays and bring them up with management.
#5: Restricted Visiting Hours or Rushed Visits
If you’re being discouraged from visiting or staff seem to always hurry you out the door, ask yourself why. Some homes limit visits to hide neglect, avoid scrutiny, or simply because they’re overwhelmed.
What to do: Know your rights. Residents have the right to see family. Ask for written visitation policies—and insist on your presence.
#6: The Facility Looks or Smells Unclean
Strong odors of urine or feces, overflowing trash, or dirty dining areas point to a lack of basic care and cleanliness. This environment is not only unpleasant but dangerous for immunocompromised elders. We have had cases where Legionnaires disease broke out, seriously infecting our clients
What to do: Tour the facility often and unexpectedly. Check bathrooms, common rooms, and dining areas for hygiene issues.
#7: Staff Can’t Answer Basic Questions
If caregivers can’t tell you about your parent’s medication, care plan, or daily routine, that’s a sign they’re not engaged—or not trained properly.
What to do: Ask direct questions about your loved one’s care. Take note if staff fumble or defer without answers.
#8: Your Parent’s Personality Has Changed
Is your once-cheerful parent now quiet, fearful, or confused? Emotional neglect, isolation, or even verbal abuse can lead to depression, anxiety, or cognitive decline.
What to do: Talk privately with your loved one. Ask if they feel safe and respected. Trust their tone and body language.
#9: The Facility Has Poor Ratings or Bad Reviews
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) ratings are public. So are Google and Yelp reviews. If a home has a history of violations or consistent negative feedback, that’s not noise—it’s a signal.
What to do: Use tools like Medicare’s Care Compare before placing a loved one in a home. Watch for abuse icons on listings.
#10: They Keep You in the Dark
You should be notified if your parent is hospitalized, injured, or their care plan changes. If you’re not being told what’s happening—or you’re finding out too late—this is a breakdown in trust.
What to do: Demand transparency. Request all updates in writing. Speak with the Director of Nursing, not just floor staff.
What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect
Document everything – photos, notes, times, and names.
Report your concerns – first to the administrator, then to your state’s ombudsman or Department of Health.
Make surprise visits – you’re more likely to see how things really are.
Request a care plan review – and bring someone with you.
Consider legal help – if neglect persists or serious harm occurs.
Trust Your Instincts
Your gut is often right. If something feels off, it probably is. Nursing home neglect doesn’t always come with bruises—it can look like silence, messiness, or avoidance. And your parent may not always be in a position to speak up.
You are their advocate. Your presence matters. Your voice matters. Don’t wait for confirmation. Investigate your concerns now.
We’re Ready to Listen to You
When small details start to raise big questions, you don’t have to sort through them alone. At Shannon Law Group, we help families recognize when signs of neglect point to something deeper — and take action to protect those they love. You’ll work directly with Chad Shannon to review what you’ve seen and decide on the next step forward.
Call us at 412-875-9859 or click and complete the form at the bottom of our homepage.
