Following the news that the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Besty Arakawa was related to Alzheimer’s, Parade reached out to a medical expert for advice on emergency plans for caregivers and family members looking after those suffering from the disease.
Dr. Sarah Kremen of the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles suggests a daily check-in plan.
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“A caregiver can set up having a daily check-in phone call, just to say, ‘I’m OK.’ This can be with a family member, a friend, and sometimes there are organizations that provide this service like Jewish Family Services, church groups, etc.,” Kremen says.
She also suggests that a designated person should be given a key and the alarm code to the home of the person suffering from Alzheimer’s in case they need to gain entry in the event of an emergency.
Kremen adds that it’s a good idea to provide documentation. “Consider even writing out the daily routine/schedule and food preferences/dietary restrictions for the person with dementia so that if someone does have to take over, their schedule is maintained as best as possible,” she says.
This is important because emergencies don’t only happen with Alzheimer’s patients but can sometimes affect their caregivers as well.
“If information is not shared ahead of time, or if there is no plan in place, then the person with dementia will surely become worried, anxious, confused, and may also have a health emergency,” she adds.
It's also key to have legal documents on hand such as durable power of attorney for finances and an advanced health care directive for the person with dementia, “so if the caregiver cannot be present to take care of their loved one, someone else can step in right away legally to do so,” Kremen says.
Technology, such as cameras and caregiving apps can also be helpful, she adds, such as Life360 or Apple’s Find My.
Another possibly helpful resource for dementia caregivers are apps recommended by Hilarity for Charity, including FutureCare AI, which includes a camera component.
On Friday, March 7, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office held a press conference to reveal new information about the cause of death for both Hackman and his wife.
According to Dr. Heather Jarrell, Hackman's cause of death has been ruled as cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer's disease being a "significant contributory factor."
Next: Gene Hackman And Wife Betsy Arakawa Cause of Death Finally Revealed
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