The Importance of Filing a Grievance Form in Long-Term Care

🛑 Imagine Your Loved One Suffering in Silence Because No One Took Action

You walk into a nursing home, expecting your loved one to be safe, comfortable, and cared for. But instead, you find them suffering in silence.

Now, I need you to think as that loved one—the person who depends on the system to protect them. And I need you to act as the advocate—the nurse leader who ensures no resident is forgotten.

This is why filing a grievance is so important. It’s not about making trouble. It’s about ensuring residents receive the care they deserve and giving facilities an opportunity to identify root causes and implement real solutions.

📝 Filing a Grievance = Ensuring Accountability

This past week, my own family hesitated to file a grievance. Like many, they didn’t want to make a fuss. Instead, they reported the issue verbally to the administrator, who promised it would be addressed.

🔴 But here’s the problem: There was no follow-up.

🚫 No response from the administrator.

🚫 No follow-up from the social worker.

🚫 No check-in from the Director of Nursing.

Now? We’re dealing with yet another issue.

This is what happens when concerns aren’t formally documented. Issues get brushed aside, communication breaks down, and preventable problems keep happening.

✅ A Strong Grievance Process Protects Residents

A solid grievance process ensures that:

📌 Resident concerns are taken seriously and addressed.

📌 Facilities identify root causes and implement meaningful solutions.

📌 The Resident and Resident representatives feel heard and involved.

📌 Regulatory requirements are met, reducing compliance risks.

🚨 The facility MUST make prompt efforts to resolve grievances. This isn’t optional—it’s a resident right.

🛑 Verbal, Written, or Anonymous—Every Grievance Requires Follow-Up

A grievance can be:

✔️ Verbally reported (but should still be documented and addressed).

✔️ Formally written and submitted.

✔️ Filed anonymously (for those who fear retaliation).

❌ No grievance should go ignored. No resident should feel powerless.

It’s the facility’s legal and ethical duty to ensure follow-up happens every single time.

🏥 The Admission Process & Grievances—It Starts on Day One

When a new resident is admitted:

🔹 They should be informed of their right to file a grievance.

🔹The process should be clearly explained.

🔹 The facility’s Grievance Officer should be introduced.

A resident’s first impression of a facility matters. If they don’t know how to advocate for themselves, issues will go unreported, and quality of care will suffer.

🛠️ A Leadership Challenge: Are You Protecting Your Residents?

Grievances are not just pieces of paper. They are real concerns from real people.

I challenge DONs, administrators, and nursing home leaders to:

✔️ Make the grievance process clear, accessible, and non-intimidating.

✔️ Ensure all grievances—verbal or written—are properly documented.

✔️ Follow up, communicate outcomes, and prevent repeat issues.

✔️ Lead by example—treat every patient like they are someone you love dearly.

If we don’t listen, document, and act, we fail our residents, our families, and our teams.

📢 Want to Learn More?

We dive deep into grievance processes, regulatory compliance, and leadership strategies inside my Director of Nursing Training Program.

📥 Join my DON Training Program → Bilquis Ali RN FACDONA, CDONA (@bilquisbali) | Stan]

📧 Need leadership guidance? Contact me for mentorship & consulting →[Bilquis Ali RN FACDONA, CDONA (@bilquisbali) | Stan

💬 Drop a comment: Have you ever hesitated to file a grievance? What was the outcome? Let’s talk.