Nursing Home Neglect During the Holidays: Why Injuries Often Increase in December

For many families, December is a time of celebration, travel, and long-awaited reunions. But inside nursing homes, the holiday season often looks very different. Facilities face heavier workloads, staffing shortages, and disrupted routines — a combination that can leave elderly residents increasingly vulnerable to neglect.

Families with loved ones in long-term care may notice more injuries, lapses in care, or changes in their loved one’s condition this time of year. Understanding why these issues happen — and what signs to watch for — can help protect some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

This blog explores why neglect increases in December, the most common holiday-related injuries, warning signs to look for, and your legal rights in Texas.

Why Nursing Home Neglect Spikes in December

Neglect rarely stems from one isolated factor. Around the holidays, multiple stressors intersect:

1. Staff Shortages and Overworked Caregivers

December is one of the most difficult months for nursing home staffing. Employees take vacation time, call in sick more often, or reduce hours to manage their own family responsibilities. Facilities may hire temporary workers who:

• Don’t know residents’ routines

• Aren’t familiar with medical conditions or mobility needs

• Lack training in proper lifting, feeding, or medication procedures

• Aren’t fully integrated into the facility’s workflow

With fewer staff caring for the same number of residents — or more — tasks begin to slip. Residents may wait longer for assistance, miss medication times, or be left alone for extended periods.

2. Fewer Family Visits and Less Oversight

Family involvement is one of the biggest safeguards against nursing home neglect. During December, however, travel schedules, winter weather, and holiday obligations often mean fewer check-ins from loved ones.

When families visit less frequently:

• Staff may feel less accountability

• Small problems can go unnoticed until they become emergencies

• Residents may feel more isolated or anxious

• Declines in hygiene or nutrition may go unseen

This reduced visibility creates opportunities for neglect to escalate.

3. Increased Facility Activity and Disruption

Although the holidays can bring joy, they also bring chaos inside nursing homes. Seasonal events — like holiday parties, gift donations, and increased foot traffic from outside visitors — change the daily rhythm of a facility.

These disruptions can result in:

• More clutter in hallways

• Staff being pulled in multiple directions

• Missed or delayed repositioning

• Meal services running behind

• Confusion for dementia or memory care residents

All of these variables increase the risk of preventable injuries.

Most Common Holiday-Related Injuries in Nursing Homes

With fewer staff and busier environments, resident safety can decline quickly. Some of the most common injuries linked to holiday-season neglect include:

Falls

Falls happen when residents:

• Attempt to get up without help

• Slip on wet floors or clutter

• Don’t receive prompt assistance to the restroom

• Become disoriented by changes in routine

Falls can cause broken bones, head injuries, or even fatal complications.

Medication Errors

Temporary staff or overwhelmed workers may:

• Forget doses

• Mistake one resident’s medication for another’s

• Misread labels

• Administer medications at incorrect times

Because older adults are especially sensitive to drug interactions, even one error can trigger severe health consequences.

Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers)

Residents who need assistance repositioning are at high risk of bedsores if left in the same position too long. With fewer staff available:

• Turning schedules may be delayed

• Mobility checks may be skipped

• Wheelchair-bound residents may sit in one place for hours

Pressure ulcers can become infected and lead to life-threatening complications.

Missed Basic Care

Essential needs such as meals, hydration, hygiene, and restroom assistance often suffer during peak holiday staffing shortages. Neglect in these areas may lead to:

• Dehydration

• Malnutrition

• Urinary tract infections

• Confusion or delirium

• Skin breakdown

These conditions don’t happen overnight — they result from repeated failures in care.

Warning Signs of Neglect and Your Legal Rights in Texas

Families visiting during the holidays should watch closely for changes in their loved one’s physical condition, emotional well-being, and living environment. Warning signs may include:

• Sudden weight loss or signs of dehydration

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or fractures

• Dirty clothing, soiled bedding, or foul odors

• Medication mix-ups or missed pills

• Withdrawn behavior, fearfulness, or emotional changes

• Bedsores, redness, or swelling around pressure points

• Residents left unattended for long periods

• Staff who appear rushed, defensive, or overwhelmed

Texas Nursing Home Residents Have Legal Protections

Under Texas law, residents have the right to:

• Safe, adequate, and respectful care

• Protection from neglect and abuse

• Timely medical treatment

• Facility records upon request

• File complaints and pursue legal claims

If you suspect neglect, documenting what you see and speaking with an attorney early can help safeguard your family member and others in the facility.

Suspecting Neglect? Call Shaw.

Holiday staffing shortages are never an excuse for substandard care. If your loved one has suffered harm due to nursing home negligence anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Hospital bills

• Long-term medical care

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Wrongful death

• And more

The attorneys at Carabin Shaw are committed to protecting vulnerable seniors and holding negligent facilities accountable.

📞 Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today or use our live chat to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with an experienced personal injury attorney. No fees. No pressure. Just compassionate, expert legal guidance when your family needs it most.

We look forward to serving you.

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¹ TXHCA – Resident Rights
² AMC – Common Medication Errors in Older Adults and How to Prevent Them