AN ELDERLY Hampshire grandmother hanged herself after struggling to cope with Alzheimer’s disease, an inquest heard.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how Ruby Hallman from Fawley was reluctant to have respite care to ease the pressure on her family who looked after her.

The inquest 97-year-old from Fawley was found hanging at the garden of her grandson’s home in Toomer Close on January 7.

The inquest heard on the day she died Mrs Hallman was due to be assessed by a nearby care home for respite care, after her grandson John Praine told how he was “struggling to cope” with looking after her.

Emma Borley from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust told the inquest how Mrs Hallman was diagnosed with Alzheimers on April 29 and she also suffered from paranoia.

She told nurses at the Older Persons Mental Health team how she did not get on with Mrs Praine, and said she was finding it harder to look after herself.

Mr Praine told the hearing how Mrs Hallman, who had become a widow seven years before her death, had moved in with him and his wife Merilyn.

He said she had told of hanging herself two years ago, but he didn’t think she would do it, but said his grandmother had told of “ending it” for years, and he had reported it to doctors on a number of occasions.

He added that her angry outbursts would often be aimed at his wife, and she hit him, kicked his wife and spat at her.

Mr Praine said: “Grandmother was looking for the easiest person to vent her anger at. It was easier for her to do this to her as it hit her heartstrings if she was angry at me.”

He told the inquest that she had agreed to the respite care, and was due to be assessed on the day she died.

He said he went out with his wife on January 7, when they returned they discovered Mrs Hallman hanging in the garden.

Giving evidence, DC Mark Harris, said police officers attended the address and ruled out any suggestion of foul play.

Assistant coroner Simon Burge recorded a verdict of suicide whilst the balance of her mind was disturbed.

Addressing Mr and Mrs Praine, Mr Burge said: “I hope you do not feel any sense of responsibility, you went above and beyond what most people would do.

“Most of us would have found an alternative much sooner than you did and for you to care for her at the best of your ability and being subjected to her behaviour, you must have found that difficult.”