AN elderly woman starved to death alone in her home after refusing help from family and neighbours, a coroner has heard.

Helen Drew’s body was discovered on the floor of her house at Ford Lane, Ferndown, on March 11. She weighed just over four stone.

At an inquest into her death, Bournemouth Coroner’s Court was told the 79-year-old’s home had been in a dirty and disorderly state. Clothes were strewn about, dishes left unwashed and the kitchen table overturned.

The only food found was a tin of soup in the cupboard and a packet of fish in the freezer.

Her body was discovered by her neighbour of 40 years and friend Edna Pratt, who often brought her food and took her out to the shops.

But the court heard Helen’s health had deteriorated. A week before her death, her neighbour became so worried she asked if she could call a doctor for her. She refused.

“I phoned the surgery anyway but they said without her agreeing to it they wouldn’t come out,” added Edna.

“She wouldn’t let anybody come in and help her.

Helen, a former employee at Beales, had never married, and devoted herself to caring for her late mother, with whom she lived until her death some years earlier.

Her sister-in-Law Joan Drew told the coroner: “I think her mother was everything to her. They thought the world of each other, they used to go on holidays together. Then when mother went she was absolutely lost really.”

Joan told how she and her husband David used to see Helen out shopping and would drive her home – but they hadn’t been invited in for some years.

After seeing her looking frail and unsteady they called in at the house on March 3. Helen came to the window – but wouldn’t open the door. A week later she was dead.

“It is really sad that she didn’t call on us. She was of the old sort that didn’t want to be a bother to anyone – no doctors, nobody,” added Joan.

A postmortem found Helen was in a severely emaciated state and died from ketoacidosis and hypothermia, caused by starvation.

Coroner Sheriff Payne recorded a verdict that she had died as a consequence of self neglect. In paying his condolences to those present, he added: “You did the best you could. She obviously didn’t want that help.”

Dave Leighton, chief officer of Age UK Bournemouth, told the Echo: “Obviously it is terribly sad when any case like this comes to light.

“Age UK, as the rest of society, recognises an individual’s right to make their own choices about the way they live their lives.

“If you are concerned about an elderly relative or neighbour we would recommend that you try to make contact with them, and if you continue to be concerned, contact local social services or the police.”

Barrie Crook, independent chair of the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board added: “While we cannot comment on individual cases, we are sorry to hear of the circumstances around this inquest. Our condolences go out to the family at this time.

“Unfortunately, it is not unusual or infrequent for people to refuse help from family or friends, particularly if they are used to being independent. However, if you are worried about a family member, friend, or neighbour, advice and support can be found on our website (www.mylifemycare.com) or from any safeguarding team, GP or other healthcare professional.”