An elderly woman passed away due to hypothermia following refusing to turn on the heating in her home in the UK, out of fear that her electricity bill would rise. The 87-year-old, named Barbara Bolton, was discovered by her grandson at her kitchen table, unable to speak. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and found to have a body temperature of only 28°C, with the cause of death being attributed to recurrent pneumonia caused by hypothermia. Bolton was suffering from vascular dementia at the time. Following an investigation, it was revealed that her decision to not turn on the heating was unique to her and likely avoidable if she had agreed to keep her heater on. The judge noted that despite being urged by family members to do so, Bolton refused help and was very stubborn in her self-sufficiency.
An 87 year old woman died of hypothermia following he refused to turn on the heating in his house in the United Kingdom, because he had fear that the cost of the electricity bill will increase.
Barbara Bolton was found by her grandson at her kitchen table unable to speak, following he came to her house following repeatedly trying to reach her by phone. The old woman was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors discovered that she had a body temperature of only 28°C; when a normal temperature is 36.5°C.
Tests later revealed that Bolton suffered from vascular dementia before he died, with his main cause of death being recurrent pneumonia caused by hypothermia.
After conducting an investigation into the case, the Rochdale Coroner’s Court acknowledged that the decision of do not turn on the heating it was unique to Barbara, as her family visited her constantly, and although she had been told not to worry regarding rising electricity costs, her son suspected that she turned off the heating when she was alone.
“I had deliberately not turned on the heating fearing high energy bills, despite family concerns. This was probably an avoidable admission, if Barbara had agreed to keep her heater on. But because she was very stubborn and self-sufficient, she really wouldn’t accept help, even from her family,” the judge in charge of the case concluded.
This tragic story serves as a reminder of the importance of staying warm and safe during the winter months. While it is understandable to worry regarding the cost of heating, it is never worth risking your health and wellbeing. It is important for families and loved ones to look out for each other and check in on elderly relatives or neighbors, especially during cold weather. Let us honor Barbara Bolton’s memory by taking care of ourselves and those around us.
