AN ELDERLY resident at a city care home died from head injuries after she fell downstairs, an inquest heard.

Joan Rogers had lived at Carlan Rest Home in Tower Road, Hereford, for around six months before she plunged down the stairs and died of her injuries sustained in the fall.

Pathologist at Hereford County Hospital, Dr S. Banerjee confirmed Miss Rogers was of an advanced age and dementia had made her vulnerable.

Staff at the Carlan Rest Home told how Miss Rogers who was 83 at the time of her death on August 1 last year, could be a 'difficult lady'.

Proprietor and care manager, Carol Ann Williams said: "She was confused. We were given a history of self-harm, anorexia and epilepsy. On a good day she was very good and on a bad day she was quite difficult."

Miss Rogers would spend her days watching television and wandering around, care workers confirmed.

Inspector for the National Care Standards Commission, Christina Lavelle had last visited the home prior to the accident in December 2001.

She said: "There have not been any major concerns (at Carlan Rest Home)."

Highlighting key points concerned in the inspections, she added: "I would want to satisfy myself that the home is meeting the person's needs. I also checked to make sure that they had dealt with the accident appropriately."

Returning a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner, Mark Bricknell said: "Miss Rogers was an independently minded lady who had suffered a decline of mental and physical abilities. It was an accident."