Relatives say the system designed to handle such complaints is flawed and they often go unheeded.
The body representing senior social services managers says there needs to be more investment in care staff.
Anyone is entitled to raise suspicions about a person's care, and local authorities are obliged to look at the claims.
If necessary, they launch what is known as a formal safeguarding investigation to decide what action should be taken.
But some families who have raised safeguarding concerns say the system is not working.