Coronial
SAhospital

Coroner's Finding: KENNEDY Brian

Deceased

Brian Kennedy

Demographics

70y, male

Date of death

2014-04-30

Finding date

2016-08-25

Cause of death

general inanition on a background of advanced frontotemporal dementia

AI-generated summary

Brian Kennedy, aged 70, died of general inanition on a background of advanced frontotemporal dementia while subject to a Mental Health Act inpatient treatment order. He was admitted to Flinders Medical Centre in January 2014 with escalating aggressive behaviours and medication non-compliance. He subsequently refused food and medication despite numerous interventions. Over two months, he experienced progressive physical and behavioural decline. Care was transitioned to palliative management in April 2014, and he died peacefully. The coroner found no issues with the care provided, which was described as very good. The case illustrates the challenges in managing dementia patients with aggressive behaviour and the appropriateness of palliative care planning in advanced dementia.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.

Contributing factors

  • refusal of food and medication
  • progressive dementia
  • aggressive and agitated behaviour
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