(LANSING) - Thousands of nursing home facilities in Michigan have been cited for failing to protect residents' health and safety, according to an investigation that found dozens of deaths linked to suspected neglect or abuse.
A review of state and federal inspection records by Bridge Michigan found that from 2020 through 2024, nursing homes across the state were repeatedly cited for violations ranging from inadequate staffing to unsanitary living conditions.
At least 36 residents died in cases tied to suspected neglect or abuse, including incidents involving untreated bedsores, falls and choking.
The investigation analyzed more than 3,100 inspection reports, death certificates, court records and interviews with families, workers and advocates. Inspectors documented problems such as minimal training for nurse aides, chronic understaffing, and conditions that included mold, rodents and strong odors.
Under Michigan law, nursing homes are required to provide just two hours and 15 minutes of care per resident each day -- well below the four or more hours recommended by elder care advocacy groups.
Although the state has a $35 million fund intended to improve nursing home care, investigators found that bureaucratic barriers have limited how much of that money is actually used.
The review also showed stark differences by ownership type. For-profit nursing homes accounted for most facilities statewide and received 43% more citations per bed than nonprofit or government-run homes.
Families interviewed for the investigation said they were often unaware that state investigations were underway after their loved ones were injured or died, leaving them without clear answers or accountability.
Efforts at the Statehouse to strengthen oversight and transparency have stalled. Proposals such as allowing cameras in nursing home rooms have failed to advance, despite continued reports of unsafe conditions.
Bridge Michigan reports advocates and state officials maintain that long-standing issues -- including staffing shortages, limited enforcement power and weak transparency -- continue to put Michigan's roughly 34,000 nursing home residents at risk.
You can read Bridge Michigan's full investigation here.