stage: 5

The signs a care home isn't providing good care — some are obvious, several are easy to miss

Signs that a care home may not be providing good care include staff who do not know the resident by name, a noticeable smell of urine in communal areas, residents who appear unwashed or unkempt, unexplained bruising or weight loss, high staff turnover, and a reluctance to answer questions from family. Poor care often shows in the small things: whether the person is dressed in their own clothes, whether they are left alone for long periods, whether staff greet them warmly or walk past without acknowledgement. If something feels wrong, it is usually worth investigating. Families have the right to ask for care plan meetings, to raise concerns formally with the home manager, and to escalate to the CQC if problems are not addressed. Keeping a written record of concerns with dates helps when making a complaint.