The guidance, which covers more than 450,000 people living in 17,000 residential and nursing homes, warns that poor care of the vulnerable has left too many stripped of their independence, while others have ended up malnourished and in hospital.
Inspections by the Care Quality Commission have uncovered a string of cases in which elderly residents have been forced out of bed as early as 4am, to suit the needs of staff.
Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive at Nice, said: “NICE recommendations advise that people living in care homes should be helped to retain their independence and identity, for example through supporting them to take part in activities they enjoy, and allowing them to go at their own pace.”