Hampshire dementia victim didn’t know wife had died

Epilepsy sufferer Joy Parker, 73, refused help and wanted to take care of herself and her elderly husband Ron, Southampton Coroners Court heard.

But when the pensioner collapsed in her bedroom her husband, who suffers from dementia, did not understand that she had died.

As a result, he was unable to raise the alarm and was left living in squalor for several days.

PC Bethan Wood from Hampshire police told the inquest that Mrs Parker was found dead at her home in Totton after a friend went round to check on the couple but was unable to speak to her.

“He said Ron came to the window looking distressed and told him Joy had had a fall, but he couldn’t find the key to let him in,” she said.

PC Wood told the court the friend usually made checks every week but had been away on holiday for three weeks.

The couple were also visited by a meals on wheels service, that delivered food for the couple every week. The officer told the inquest a number of packaged meals were found in the kitchen so it is likely the last visit happened shortly before Mrs Parker collapsed. On entering the house in Shelley Road, Totton, police also discovered a number of call out sheets from the ambulance service which showed that she regularly had falls and needed help to get back up.

“Mr Parker was found sitting in a chair and he couldn’t understand that his wife had died,” she said.

PC Wood said an investigation revealed that health and social services were aware of the couple’s living conditions and had ‘tried their best to help’ but Mrs Parker refused any help. She added that Mr Parker was now living in a care home.

Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman said: “Those entrusted with authority to help in this situation were doing everything they could.”

Mrs Parker died from pneumonia.

A verdict of death by natural causes was recorded.