A hospice nurse has opened up about the tragic reality of Gene Hackman’s death, sharing the importance of having one thing in place for those in need of care
Gene Hackman’s recent death has provided a crucial reminder about one thing that those in need of care have to have in place.
That’s the verdict of one nurse specialising in end-of-life care, who has spoken out about the heart-wrenching circumstances surrounding the beloved actor’s death. Julie McFadden, the nurse behind the Hospice Nurse Julie YouTube channel, said it highlighted the vital need for a “support system”.
It follows the news that the esteemed star, aged 95, and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in separate quarters of their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), an uncommon respiratory condition linked to rodents.
Roughly a week later, Hackman died due to coronary artery disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease suspected as a contributing element, according to the BBC. One of their dogs was also found dead in a crate.
Julie recently opened up on the details of the awful deaths and remarked that such occurrences are not unfamiliar to her. She commented: “This is a tragic, tragic ending.
“Now, the reason why I bring it up is because I see this so often on hospice. Now, thankfully, I don’t see a lot of people dying because of this, but I see when there is one caregiver, who is trying to care for someone who is also elderly and sick themselves.
“When a family doesn’t have a support system, this is the kind of tragedy that can happen. And I am not victim-blaming here.
“I’m not blaming Betsy or blaming Gene or blaming the family.” She emphasised that there’s “no blame here”, using the incident as a teaching moment to remind folks that a caregiver can’t be the “only one”.
What to do if you are in need of care
Julie shared some handy tips for anyone who might find themselves in a similar boat or foresee it on their horizon. First off, Julie advised making sure at least one person checks in on you weekly, particularly if you’re feeling under the weather.
It could be as simple as a phone call, but having someone outside your home as a touchpoint is crucial. Next up, she suggested arranging for someone else to step in and care for the individual occasionally, giving you a much-needed breather.
This could be on a monthly, bi-monthly or weekly basis. Alternatively, you could have a chat with a social worker about getting advice on how to take a break from the house now and then.
Julie underscored the need to aim to “get as much community around us” as possible, calling it a “call for all of us” to extend a hand to others. She added that we need to reach out for help and lend our support to others.
The NHS offers a variety of support options for those with care and support needs, including paid carers, meals delivered to your home, home modifications, gadgets and equipment, and housing alternatives like care homes.
You can check out an NHS guide on their website. If you’re caring for someone with dementia, you can visit this website.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
