Citation

Byard RW, Gilbert JD. J. Forensic Sci. 2011; 56(6): 1645-1647.

Affiliation

Discipline of Pathology, The University of Adelaide, Frome Rd, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. Forensic Science SA, 21 Divett Place, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01838.x

PMID

21790594

Abstract

Two cases of dangerous sleeping environments in the elderly are reported to demonstrate similarities and differences of these "sleeping accidents" to similar episodes that occur in infants and children. Case reports: An 87-year-old wheelchair-bound man with a history of dementia was found in his nursing home room hanging off the side of the bed from a vertical metal bar, and an 87-year-old woman with epilepsy, ischemic heart disease, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was found in hospital wedged between an inflatable mattress and the bars of her bed. These cases demonstrate that, as in the very young, relatively poor coordination and strength in the elderly often with limited comprehension and ability to deal with dangerous environments may predispose to sleeping accidents. Significant underlying organic disease may, however, make determination of the precise lethal mechanisms difficult. Modification of beds should only be undertaken when safety issues have been carefully evaluated.

Language: en