Julie, aged 59, had an intellectual disability. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression. In 1982, when she was 17, Julie moved into a group home through McCallum Disability Services.
Her medical history included frontoparietal dementia, chronic constipation, colonic dysmotility, and recurrent sigmoid volvulus. She had previously undergone surgery for her bowel issues.
On 20 September 2022, Julie began receiving care from Aussie Life Care, an NDIS registered provider. She resided in a supported independent living home until 6 June 2023. She was then assessed as requiring full-time care and transitioned into a Specialist Disability Accommodation facility run by Aussie Life Care.
In June 2024, Julie was admitted to hospital with abdominal bloating and diagnosed with sigmoid volvulus. She was discharged home after three days. On 21 July 2024, Julie was transported to hospital again, suffering a distended abdomen.
She underwent a flexible sigmoidoscopy and bowel decompression on 22 July 2024. On 1 August 2024, Julie underwent a colonoscopy and laparoscopic formation of diverting loop colostomy. On 5 August 2024, Julie experienced a further bowel obstruction.
I would be interested to understand if her chronic and recurrent bowel issues were considered in her NDIS support planning.
A palliative care review was conducted on 6 August 2024, involving clinicians and a medical decision maker. Julie transitioned to palliative care on 7 August 2024.
Julie died at 4.00am on 9 August 2024. The cause of death was complications of a pseudo-obstruction on a background of previous anterior resection of sigmoid volvulus.