When John Medlock's wife was taken into a care home, he was assured she would be living there safely and happily for at least 20 years.
But Rose Medlock was dead within four months – after suffering a fall at Beechwood Gardens residential care home, in Earlsdon, in August.
Her move to the home in Rochester Road, which specialises in the care of dementia patients, parted the pair for the first time in more than 50 years in April.
John, an 85-year-old retired musician, claims Rose – also known as Margaret – was left to die after days struggling to breathe without the right treatment. An inquest into her death at Coventry Magistrates' Court on Friday heard Rose suffered six fractured ribs in a fall during an indoor ball game, and the injuries were not spotted until the following day.
Those injuries aggravated a pre-existing lung condition, leading to pneumonia.
Her move into Beechwood Gardens came after she had been admitted to hospital after a fall at the couple's home in Foleshill in April. She was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
John, who is partially-sighted, has mobility problems and a lung condition, said: "Rose didn't want to leave but social services said I couldn't look after her because of my disabilities.
"They said she'd be best in the home, that she'd be there for at least 20 years and I could see her every day.
"She didn't want to leave, she was insistent, but I thought it would be for the best."
But he now believes it was a decision that ultimately led to her death, adding: "If she was at home with me, she'd still be alive."
Rose fell in the care home's main lounge on August 7 and was admitted to University Hospital the following day, where she was treated for fractured ribs and the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Care assistant Alexandra Robertson, who was overseeing the ball game, told the inquest Rose had collapsed on the floor after moving out of her armchair to leave the activity group.
She said that after the fall: "Rose was sat up in the chair, laughing with the residents.
"She was observing the game but didn't continue to play.
"We did check her body and there was a small red mark but she wasn't in any pain."
The extent of her injuries were uncovered the following morning and she was taken to hospital.
Speaking of Rose's return to the home from hospital on August 21, Ms Robertson added: "She wasn't the Rose that we knew before.
"She was happy to stay in bed and be cared for that way. She was kept comfortable and had regular visits. She wasn't a big eater and had refused all her food."
She nodded solemnly when asked by the coroner asked if she was aware Rose was going to die.
Care manager Joan Stubbs said Rose was "gradually deteriorating when she passed away" and that John was made aware of the severity of her condition.
She said "accidents do happen as much as we try to stop them" when the coroner asked how frequently falls take place in care homes.
Coroner Louise Hunt recorded a verdict of accidental death caused by bronchial pneumonia, fractured ribs and COPD.
Speaking after the hearing, Rose's grieving sister Wynn Allen, 77, of Bedworth, said she also believed Rose would still be alive if she was living with John.
She said: "I visited the Saturday before she died at the care home and was all laid out, like she was ready to die, and she was gasping for every morsel of breath.
"She had nothing to eat and her mouth was open, it didn't move.
"There was no need for that. There was no care.
"When she was with John she had everything she needed."
John, who was unable to attend the inquest, said: "She was suffering so much and was struggling to breathe but nothing was done. I love her and miss her so much.
"I want justice for Rose. I'm not doing it for the money, I just want to make sure no one else goes through what I have."
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