Coroner's Finding: WAY Dennis Martin

88y · Male·general inanition on a background of advanced dementia and a fractured patella (operated)

An 88-year-old man with advanced Alzheimer's dementia died from general inanition following a patella fracture sustained in a fall at a residential care facility. He was under a guardianship order requiring residential placement. Post-operatively, he experienced poor oral intake and drowsiness attributed to analgesic use. The family and care team agreed to palliative care only. The coroner found natural death with no clinical concerns identified. Key learning: anticipating functional decline post-operatively in elderly dementia patients and ensuring adequate nutritional and hydration support during recovery, while respecting advance care plans and family wishes.