When most people think about nursing home abuse, they imagine physical harm or neglect. But there is another form of mistreatment that often goes unnoticed — financial exploitation.

Every year, thousands of seniors in long-term care facilities lose money, assets, or property because someone took advantage of their trust. Sometimes, it’s a staff member stealing directly from a resident’s room. Other times, it’s more subtle — a caregiver manipulating a resident into signing checks, changing wills, or giving away valuables.

When families choose a nursing home for their loved one, they expect safe and attentive care. However, behind the welcoming smiles and clean lobbies, many facilities face a dangerous and growing crisis — chronic understaffing.

Across the United States, nursing home understaffing has become one of the most common causes of neglect and injury among elderly residents. With too few caregivers on duty, basic needs often go unmet, medications are missed, and serious emergencies are overlooked.

When families entrust a loved one to a nursing home, they expect compassionate care, professionalism, and safety. Unfortunately, that trust is sometimes broken. Across the United States, elder abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities remain widespread problems, affecting thousands of vulnerable residents every year.

While the terms abuse and neglect are often used together, they have distinct meanings — and recognizing the difference can make all the difference in protecting your loved one’s rights. Neglect is a failure to provide necessary care, while abuse is the deliberate act of causing harm. Both can lead to devastating consequences, from physical injuries to deep emotional trauma.

When families place an elderly loved one in a nursing home, they want reassurance that the facility is safe, compassionate, and well-managed. But how can families truly know what happens behind closed doors when they are not present? One of the most important safeguards comes in the form of state inspections of nursing homes. These inspections are designed to enforce standards, uncover neglect, and ensure residents are treated with dignity and respect.

While no system is perfect, inspections remain a cornerstone of accountability in long-term care. Understanding how they work, what they look for, and where they sometimes fall short can empower families to protect their loved ones.