Coroner's Finding: CRAFTER Lorraine

88y · Female·General inanition on a background of advanced dementia and chronic renal failure

An 88-year-old woman with advanced dementia and chronic renal failure died of general inanition at an aged care facility 14 days after admission. She had been under guardianship orders and transferred from hospital to residential care. Following admission, she showed steady decline with reduced oral intake and regularly refused food and medication, stating she had little appetite. Staff documented her statements that she was not unhappy. The death was determined to be from natural causes. This case highlights the challenges of managing nutrition and hydration in elderly patients with advanced dementia in residential settings, and the importance of careful monitoring and documentation of food/fluid refusal in this population.