Coroner's Finding: BALIAN Arsho

83y · Female·right middle cerebral artery infarct/stroke

Mrs Arsho Balian, an 83-year-old woman with dementia, schizophrenia, diabetes and recurrent UTIs, suffered a right middle cerebral artery stroke while resident in aged care under a guardianship order. She was appropriately managed at St Laurence's Court Aged Care Facility with prescribed medications for hypertension, cholesterol and schizophrenia. When stroke symptoms (left arm weakness, facial drooping) were observed by nursing staff on 11 February 2012, she was promptly conveyed to hospital. Investigation confirmed extensive acute infarction. She was treated palliatively and died peacefully on 26 February 2012. Police investigation found no evidence of inappropriate care, foul play, or that the guardianship order contributed to her death. The case exemplifies appropriate recognition and management of acute stroke in aged care, though earlier consideration of preventive strategies for cardiovascular risk factors in this high-risk population could be discussed.