What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect

What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect Date: Dec 15, 2025

Despite a lack of recent research into abuse and neglect in care homes, previous studies suggest it is a reasonably common issue across the United States. Nursing home neglect can occur in various ways, such as physical, sexual, emotional abuse and even death. This guide helps you to recognize the signs of nursing home neglect, how to report it and when to seek legal advice.

What Is Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect refers to a poor level of care that harms a resident’s health and well-being. Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, nursing homes have an obligation to provide suitable care to their residents. Some examples of neglect include the following:

• Removing and withholding food: Residents may suffer from malnutrition and dehydration as a result of receiving minimal food and water.
• Leaving residents in soiled clothing: Carers avoiding the task of changing soiled clothing, as well as adult diapers, is a form of nursing home neglect.
• Self-neglect and lack of hygiene: Care staff failing to meet residents’ needs and recognize when they require assistance with bathing and other hygiene tasks may be considered self-neglect.
• Overlooking injuries and conditions: Failing to prevent or treat medical conditions and injuries can lead to infections and mobility issues. Medication misuse is another cause for concern and an example of nursing home neglect.
• Abandoning residents in their rooms: Leaving residents alone in their rooms without allowing them to see visiting family, friends or interact with other residents is social neglect.
• Declining to seek medical attention: Ignoring a resident if they have a serious fall and require a hospital visit, leaving them in pain and susceptible to dangerous illnesses.

6 Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

If you are visiting a family member or friend in a nursing home facility, you may notice signs that their health and well-being are in danger. It is essential to understand how signs of neglect present themselves so that you can report incidents. Here are the six signs to look for:

1. Malnutrition and Weight Loss

If your loved one appears noticeably thinner with a tired look and has no explainable medical conditions, it may be a sign of nursing home neglect. Other signals to spot are hair loss, complaints about feeling cold and they exhibit crepey skin. Particularly if you notice a significant amount of weight loss, it is a potential indicator that they are receiving no food, minimal food or food with little to no nutritional value.

2. Physical Injuries

It is essential to note that a resident may fall due to inadequate supervision resulting from staffing shortages in the care sector. Unexplained bruises and cuts are also a key sign of neglect. Some incidents may be intentional by care staff and others may be due to shortages of staff members. Carers may not report incidents immediately, as they may not be aware of how a resident was injured.

3. Unexplained Financial Transactions

Approximately $28.3 billion is lost every year to elder financial abuse. Your loved one may have transactions on bank statements that they are unable to explain or missing cash. They may have left access to their finances with care staff, potentially leading to financial abuse. Other signs are unpaid bills, larger bank withdrawals and different check or document signatures.

4. Decreasing Personal Hygiene

A primary reason for a nursing home is to provide a clean and sanitary environment for its residents. If your loved one is experiencing poor personal hygiene — including wearing unclean clothing, sleeping in spoiled bedding and living in unsanitary conditions — these are key indications of neglect. Notice whether they are receiving assistance with tasks such as brushing teeth and bathing.

5. Poor Mental Health

It is the responsibility of carers to try and maintain the mental well-being of residents in nursing homes. Unsatisfactory treatment from care staff may lead to severe psychological issues. A sign of nursing home neglect is whether your loved one appears to be withdrawn, visibly emotional and shows signs of depression and anxiety.

6. Loss of Mobility

Nursing homes host programs to keep residents active and engaged, tailored to their individual mobility levels and needs. Leaving residents in their rooms or sitting in wheelchairs for extended periods without repositioning can lead to the development of mobility problems. The prevalence of pressure ulcers can develop into painful and severe bedsores, which can expose the underlying muscle.

How to Report Nursing Home Neglect

For life-threatening injuries, it is advisable to call 9-1-1 immediately to seek police and medical attention. The Illinois Department on Aging recommends various ways to report nursing home abuse and neglect. Consider the available options to make your report and gain advice:

• Contact the Ombudsmen: By reaching out to the Ombudsman, you receive guidance on moving forward with your report and the avenues for where to file your complaint. The Ombudsman will also explain your loved one’s rights and the regulations they follow.
• Report to protective services: The Adult Protective Services (APS) can investigate your report of neglect. A case worker will determine the appropriate course of action and temporary measures to ensure your loved one is safe.
• Make an official complaint: Contact the Central Complaint Registry of the Illinois Department of Public Health. The registry operates a Nursing Home Hotline. You can call 1-800-252-4343 or submit your complaint online.
• Report Medicaid fraud: If your report of abuse or neglect involves Medicaid, you can also make a complaint to the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Taking immediate action prevents further harm to your loved one as well as to other residents in the nursing home.

Gathering Evidence for Elder Abuse Reporting

To strengthen your report, gathering evidence and logging incidents will help your case. Ensure you collect the following methods of proof:

• Take photographs: Collecting images of injuries is an essential tool to boost your complaint. Pictures of your loved one’s living conditions, poor sanitation and other related issues help to back up your report.
• Collect witness statements: If possible, gather witness statements from other residents and care workers at the nursing home. Within the witness statements, be sure to record the names of individuals and the dates and times of alleged incidents.
• Retrieve care records: Review records if your loved one receives Medicaid or Medicare. You should look for evidence of unnecessary treatments or medication misuse that cause harm to your loved one.
• Make written notes: When you notice signs of neglect or abuse, take a note of the incident, including the date, time, and a description of the incident. Written notes and other sources of evidence are crucial to proving nursing home neglect.

When to Seek Legal Advice

If you suspect your loved one is experiencing nursing home neglect or abuse, reach out to a lawyer specializing in nursing home negligence cases. They will evaluate your situation and determine if you have a case. Then, they will assist in collecting evidence and witness statements to support your claims.

A few types of lawsuits your attorney may file include:

• Breach of contract: A lawsuit against a nursing home that fails to provide satisfactory care and breaches an agreement with the resident.
• Civil lawsuit: A lawsuit brought by a victim of nursing home abuse to win compensation or punitive damages, sometimes settling before a trial.
• Wrongful death: In severe circumstances, a relative of a loved one may sue a nursing home if they believe staff at a nursing home are responsible for their death.
• Personal injury: Filing a personal injury lawsuit may include assault, sexual abuse and medical malpractice at the nursing home.

If your case goes to court and returns a favorable outcome, you may receive compensation, which can pay for services such as physical and psychological therapy and medical costs. Victims may also be awarded punitive damages that exceed the cost of their expenses.

Report Nursing Home Neglect With Confidence

At Argionis & Associates, our knowledgeable team of nursing home negligence attorneys provides expert guidance to help you and your loved one navigate a lawsuit. From gathering evidence to processing the lawsuit, our team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Our firm works on contingency, so we only collect fees once you reach a settlement or win your case in court.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

George Argionis

George Argionis has over 20 years of experience in handling cases involving auto collisions, premises injuries, medical malpractice, product liability, construction-related and work-related injuries. He has dedicated his career to helping restore lives both emotionally and economically.