The Health Service Executive's Loughloe House nursing home in Athlone lacks strong governance, is short-staffed and has poor hygiene standards, according to an independent inspection report.
The Health Information and Quality Authority report, published today, found an overreliance on agency nurses and visible soiled surfaces throughout the home.
Read the full HIQA report
It also reveals that some residents were only taken out of bed on alternate days.
The HIQA report says the welfare of residents was not protected and that management could not confirm if staff were garda vetted.
A complaint of theft was not documented or investigated, it said.
The records at the HSE nursing home confirmed three incidents of alleged abuse of residents had occurred, one relating to a financial issue.
The report follows the controversial announcement by the HSE last week that it plans to move the 26 residents within the next two months and close the facility - as it will not meet the HIQA standards.
Last Saturday, over 1,000 people protested in Athlone town over the plan to close the home.
The HSE has welcomed the report, which it says confirms the rationale for the decision to close the public facility.
It said a number of residents had already transferred from the nursing home and others are currently viewing alternative suitable accommodation.
The HSE said it was in consultation with residents and their families to assist them in securing more suitable accommodation and will also try to ensure that residents who are friends are placed in a particular nursing home together.
The HSE said the decision to close the home had been taken to protect the health and welfare of the residents.
Age Action Ireland has called on the HSE to explain the decision and has asked why the problems cannot be rectified without having to shut the facility.
It says a move for residents would be hugely traumatic, given that some have been there for 10 years.
