Clare Nowland was critically injured after police responded to reports she was wandering her care home with a knife at about 4am last Wednesday.

New South Wales Police said she died on Wednesday evening "surrounded by family and loved ones".

The officer who Tasered Ms Nowland has been charged with assault.

He remains suspended from duty with pay while investigations continue, local media reported.

Ms Nowland lived in a care home in the town of Cooma about 114km (71 miles) south of Canberra, Australia's capital city.

NSW Police said their thoughts and condolences "remain with those who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs Nowland during a life she led hallmarked by family, kindness and community."

Last week, police said she was "armed" with a steak knife. On Friday confirmed she required a walking frame to move and the officer discharged his weapon after she began approaching "at a slow pace".

Ms Nowland is believed to have suffered a fractured skull and a serious brain bleed after falling and hitting her head during the incident.

Her family released a statement describing her as: "Well respected, much loved and a giving member of her local community, Clare is the loving and gentle-natured matriarch of the Nowland family."