A ‘loving’ and ‘caring’ great-grandmother who died after contracting hypothermia was worried about the cost of her energy bills, an inquest has heard.
Barbara Bolton, 87, was found “slumped” in her ‘freezing cold’ kitchen by a family member at her home in Bury on December 11 last year. She was rushed to Fairfield Hospital with a body temperature of just 28 degrees, an inquest into her death at Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard.
The “proud” mother and great-grandmother had been told by her family not to worry about the rising cost of energy bills, and had provided her with heaters to warm her home.
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But her son, Mark Bolton, told the inquest his “stubborn” mother ‘didn’t like to accept help’ and would never admit when she was feeling unwell.
In a statement read to the court, Mr Bolton said his mum was previously a very healthy lady who often played football with him as a child. She was a big Manchester City fan and she would take him to games during his childhood.
The inquest heard that Ms Bolton loved working and socialising, and didn’t retire from her job as a pharmacy assistant at her local Tesco until the age of 82. She enjoyed going to Costa Coffee and would go with her son at least once a week.
In a statement, Senior Coroner for Manchester North, Joanne Kearsley, said: “She would not put her heating on but she had been told by family members not to worry about that.
“Her family bought her some heaters and often when they spoke to her she would say she had them on.”
The court heard that when her family visited her, Barbara would usually have the heaters on, but they were unsure whether this was just to make them happy. On December 12 last year, a family member rang her phone but was unable to get through.
“His wife and son went round and saw the light was on,” Ms Kearsley said. “They used the key to get into her house and found her in the kitchen unable to speak.”
The inquest heard that an ambulance was called and her family wrapped Barbara in quilts to try and keep her warm.
In a statement read to the court, Dr Amir Ansari, a Consultant Physician at Fairfield Hospital said Barbara was found slumped in her kitchen - which was ‘extremely cold’ - with ‘profound hypothermia.
“There was a note that the patient did not turn her heating on because of high energy bills,” Dr Ansari said.
“She would not put her heating on because she was worried she would not be able to pay her bills. She didn’t feel she needed the heating on and was worried she couldn’t afford it. Despite family members offering to help she was reluctant to take any help.”
The court heard that both her son Mark, and his wife were ‘heavily involved’ in Ms Bolton’s care. Towards the end of her stay, her family agreed that medical support could be withdrawn, and she was moved to palliative care. She tragically died at 6.15pm on January 5 this year.
“This is a very sad case because it was probably avoidable if she agreed to keep her heating on,” Dr Ansari added. “She was a self sufficient proud woman who would not accept help from her family.”
Ms Bolton’s cause of death was recorded as recurrent pneumonia, due to hypothermia.
Recording a conclusion of misadventure, Ms Kearsley said: “What is evident to me is how much as a family you cared and looked after your mum. It is evident she was a very close part of your family and cared for very well.
“The only reason she developed hypothermia was because she had taken the decision not to put her heating on.
“It wasn’t an accident she didn’t put her heating on, probably for all the reasons you have explained, but she didn’t do so with the intention of causing her death. She had become fixated and worried about putting her heating on no matter what anyone was saying to her.”
Neighbours of Ms Bolton, who live on Dawson Street in Bury, said they were shocked and saddened to hear of Ms Bolton's death, and said she had lived there for several decades.
One man said: "I think Barbara must have lived here about 50 years. I know that she was working at the chemist in Tesco until fairly recently. It's so sad."
Another woman said: "I hadn't seen her in a few weeks. It's so sad. She was a really nice woman and lived here for years but more recently kept herself to herself."
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