Willow Haven: Residents Left with Dirty Fingernails - OH
During an August complaint investigation, inspectors found two residents with visibly soiled fingernails that staff had neglected for extended periods. One resident said his sister was the last person to shave him because staff wouldn't offer to do it.
Resident 19, a man with multiple serious conditions including Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory failure, sat unshaven with long fingernails on both hands during the August 11 inspection. Dark debris filled the space under each nail.
"They do not offer to shave him," the resident told inspectors at 11:08 a.m. "His sister shaved him last."
The man said staff also refused to trim or clean his fingernails. He was completely dependent for personal hygiene according to his care assessment and needed substantial help to roll left or right in bed. His medical conditions included severe protein malnutrition, chronic kidney disease, and major depressive disorder.
An inspector noted how the resident positioned his fingernails to dig into his palm and verified the nails were both long and soiled.
LPN 179 confirmed the resident's unkempt appearance when questioned by inspectors. The nurse verified his fingernails were long on both sides with dark debris under the nail beds.
The resident had been readmitted to the facility in July 2024 with diagnoses that made basic self-care impossible. His care plan specifically addressed his inability to perform activities of daily living due to impaired mobility, chronic wounds, and neurological conditions.
Resident 5 faced similar neglect.
The woman, who suffered from metabolic encephalopathy, chronic respiratory failure, and bipolar disorder, showed inspectors her dirty fingernails during the August 11 visit. All fingers on her right hand contained debris under the nails. Her left thumb and index finger were similarly soiled.
"She doesn't get her nails cleaned or cut," the resident told inspectors at 12:05 p.m.
The woman required continuous oxygen therapy and needed help with self-care tasks including eating setup and oral hygiene. Her July assessment showed she was moderately impaired for daily decision-making but could communicate her basic needs.
She had been readmitted to the facility in July with serious conditions including sepsis, muscle weakness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anxiety disorders that limited her ability to care for herself.
LPN 179 again confirmed the obvious neglect when inspectors asked about this resident's condition. The nurse verified the woman's fingernails were long and soiled.
Both residents' situations violated federal requirements for nursing homes to provide necessary personal care services. The facility's own assessments showed both residents needed substantial help with hygiene tasks, yet staff consistently failed to provide basic nail care.
The inspection occurred as part of two separate complaint investigations. Federal regulations require nursing homes to assist residents with grooming and personal hygiene when they cannot perform these tasks independently.
Neither resident could trim their own nails due to their medical conditions and physical limitations. Resident 19 couldn't even roll over in bed without maximum assistance, while Resident 5 needed help with basic self-care tasks throughout the day.
The facility's failure extended beyond simple oversight. When directly asked, both residents made clear that staff had refused to provide nail care over extended periods. The accumulation of debris under multiple fingernails suggested the neglect had continued for weeks.
Long, dirty fingernails create infection risks for vulnerable nursing home residents, particularly those with diabetes, chronic wounds, or compromised immune systems like both residents involved. The visible debris under their nails indicated poor overall hygiene practices at the facility.
Inspectors documented the violations as causing minimal harm but affecting multiple residents. The findings emerged from complaint investigations numbered 2588814 and 2569206, suggesting other residents or families had raised concerns about care quality at the facility.
Both residents remained at Continuing Healthcare at Willow Haven with their basic grooming needs unmet despite clear documentation of their dependence on staff for personal care assistance.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Continuing Healthcare At Willow Haven from 2025-08-21 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 20, 2026 · Our methodology
CONTINUING HEALTHCARE AT WILLOW HAVEN in ZANESVILLE, OH was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 21, 2025.
During an August complaint investigation, inspectors found two residents with visibly soiled fingernails that staff had neglected for extended periods.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.