Coroner's Finding: Reid, Betty Lorraine

84y · Female·Alzheimer's disease with subdural haematoma from traumatic head injury as a contributing factor

Mrs Betty Reid, aged 84 years with advanced Alzheimer's disease, died from Alzheimer's disease with subdural haematoma from traumatic head injury as a contributing factor. She sustained an unwitnessed fall on 1 November 2020 at a nursing home, tripping over her four-wheel walker in the dining room. CT imaging revealed a right subdural haematoma and cortical contusions with orbital floor fractures. She was not a surgical candidate. A second fall occurred on 17 November 2020 in her bedroom. The coroner found the guardianship order was lawful and appropriate, and that the standard of care at the nursing home and Modbury Hospital was proper and appropriate. No preventable failures were identified.