Latest news with #BetsyArakawa
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
All you need to know about: Alzheimer's disease
The deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa made headlines some months ago after their bodies were found at their home in Santa Fe, United States. While Ms. Arakawa was found to have died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne disease, Mr. Hackman's autopsy findings indicated severe heart disease as well as advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. The actor was 95 at the time of his death. What is Alzheimer's disease and what do you need to know about it? Read on, to find out. What is Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, which is an umbrella term for several diseases that affect the brain, impairing memory, thinking, reasoning, affecting a person's ability to function well. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. Alzheimer's disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) states, may contribute to 60–70% of dementia cases. Dementia is currently the seventh-leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally. India is expected to have about 7.6 million afflicted by 2030, as per the Dementia in India Report, 2020, majority of whom are likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease, which means that over time, brain cells are damaged and die, leading the brain to shrink. What causes Alzheimer's disease? The exact causes that lead to Alzheimer's disease are still being studied and are not fully understood. Scientists believe the disease may be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells or neurons that are connected in networks. When a protein called beta amyloid builds up and clumps together, it forms plaques that affect the communication between neurons. Another protein, the tau protein, becomes twisted into strands called tangles, which also affect the functioning of the cells, and damages them. When the cells become damaged and lose their connections with each other, they eventually die. The destruction and death of the brain nerve cells cause the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Genetics, environmental and environmental factors are believed to contribute to the cause. Who is at risk for Alzheimer's disease? Age, being 65 years or older, is one of the primary risk factors. Other risk factors include a family history of Alzheimer's, smoking, a traumatic head injury, untreated depression as well as lifestyle conditions associated with heart disease such as obesity, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. The WHO also lists drinking too much alcohol, being physically inactive and being socially isolated as risk factors for dementia. What are the signs and symptoms? One of the first and most common symptoms may be memory loss -- difficulty in remembering recent events or conversations and newly-learned information. This is not the occasional bout of forgetting that most of us may experience -- this form of memory loss is lasting. It may lead, over time, to patients having trouble finding the right words, asking questions over and over, putting familiar objects in unfamiliar places, getting lost in a previously well-known locations and forgetting faces and names. Other symptoms involve thinking and reasoning abilities as well as changes in speech, moods, personality and behaviour. These can include: confusion, difficulties in paying bills and managing finances, difficulties in day-to-day activities such as cooking or driving and poor judgement. Personality changes can include suspicion of others, mood swings, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal and anger or aggression. What is the prognosis? The rate of progression for Alzheimer's disease varies. In the later stages of the disease, a person may lose physical abilities, may need help with all activities, and may lost the ability to communicate. Some people may live several years after a diagnosis, while others may live for fewer years. The stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis and other factors of health may affect life expectancy. How is it treated? It is important to see a doctor if you are concerned about memory or other thinking skills or if you have these concerns about a family member. At present, there is no cure for Alzheimer's., however treatment can help manage symptoms and treat the progression of the disease. Early treatment is optimal to help preserve brain health. Medicines may be prescribed where necessary. This apart, medication may also be given for symptoms such as depression, hallucinations, agitation and mood changes. Opting for a healthy lifestyle including adequate exercise, well-balanced, nutritious meals, keeping up with hobbies and social activities, may all help. Creating a supportive and caring environment at home, one that is calm, structured, is also important to help improve well-being and the ability to function.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Gene Hackman's secret Hollywood fistfight REVEALED three months after tragic death at 95
Gene Hackman's secret fistfight in Los Angeles - along with the star's hilariously petty response - has been revealed three months after his shock death at 95. The double Oscar winner, who passed away in February alongside wife Betsy Arakawa at their Santa Fe home, was known for his pugnacious temperament, and hit back in spectacular fashion when he was harassed by a rude LA driver. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail for Real Story special, Breaking Down the Mysteries around Gene Hackman's Sudden Death presented by Guy Adams, the Unforgiven star's longtime friend dished on his explosive roadside spat. Doug Lanham, who first met Hackman in 2004 at his eatery, the Jinja Bar & Bistro, said: 'There was a time Gene was coming down where he was living [in LA] 'These guys recognized him and they started harassing him a little bit. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'So they were stopped at a stop light and they bumped him from behind. Gene being Gene , puts it in drive, goes forward, puts it in reverse and then whacks them. 'And then they go to the next stoplight, these two guys, two of them get out of the car and Gene gets out of the car, and they go for it.' Miming punching, a chucking Lanham continued: 'And I ask Gene, "how did you do?" The star responded: 'Well I was on my back and I kinda looked up over my head and there's a bus stop with a poster and there I was on the poster! 'And I was like "Hackman what the hell are you doing?" Hackman fled LA for New Mexico when he retired from acting in 2004. Known for his tough onscreen roles, Hackman won his second Oscar in the Supporting Actor category for his role as brutal sheriff 'Little' Bill Daggett in Unforgiven. The film also won Best Picture and Best Director for Clint Eastwood and and Best Film Editing for Joel Cox. Hackman also won the Best Actor Oscar for the 1971 film French Connection His last film was the 2004 political comedy Welcome to Mooseport and this time his retirement was permanent. The final autopsy results for Hackman detailed the beloved Oscar winning actor's extensive medical history two months after he and his wife were found dead inside their home. Hackman had 'a 'history of congestive heart failure' and 'severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys,' Fox reported, citing the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico. He had a 'bi-ventricular pacemaker' since April 2019 and 'neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer's Disease,' according to the autopsy. 'Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement,' the documents stated. 'Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large. Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer's disease.' Police have since determined that Arakawa died first around February 12 as a result of respiratory symptoms caused by the rare but deadly Hantavirus, which is passed on through rodent urine, saliva and feces. She was 65. Hackman tested negative for Hantavirus. A report obtained by indicated that Arakawa had bookmarks on her computer suggesting that she had been researching medical conditions with symptoms similar to Covid-19 or the flu prior to her death. 'Testing for carbon monoxide was less than 5 percent saturation, in keeping with a normal range,' the medical examiner noted. Hackman also had trace amounts of acetone in his system at the time of his death, which could be a product of 'diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis.' Hackman, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease at the time, is believed to have wandered around the couple's home alone after his wife's death. Due to the condition, he may not have ever realized his wife had died. The actor died nearly a week later around February 18, from severe heart disease, while Alzheimer's and kidney disease were contributing factors. A week after the bodies were discovered, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a health assessment on the property. The department concluded that dead rodents and their nests were found in 'eight detached outbuildings' on the Hackman property, making it a 'breeding ground' for the hantavirus. The deadly hantavirus typically spreads through rodent urine and droppings that one may come into contact with when cleaning a basement or an attic. There were droppings found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on the property. Additionally, there was a live rodent, a dead rodent and a rodent nest found in three more garages on the property, according to the inspectors. There were also two vehicles seen on the estate that had evidence of rodents, and they even found traps in the buildings as well, suggesting this had been an ongoing issue for the Hackmans. The health assessment was conducted to assess whether first responders or others who were on the property were safe from the virus. Cops who combed their home following the gruesome discovery shared bodycam footage which captured how the couple's other heartbroken dog watched over Betsy's lifeless body as it lay surrounded by clutter. A series of heartbreaking notes were also found dotted around the house, each exchanged between the couple and showing their affection for one another until the end. Photos of their adored German Shepherds also adorned tables and sideboards, with smiling pictures of the couple with their old pets dating back years.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wes Anderson Says Gene Hackman Was "Furious" While Filming "The Royal Tenenbaums"
Earlier this year, legendary actor Gene Hackman passed away alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa in the couple's Santa Fe home. Gene was a larger-than-life talent, so it's not surprising that we're still hearing new stories from those who worked with him. The latest comes from director Wes Anderson, whose new film The Phoenician Scheme just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. As you probably know, Gene was effectively the lead in Wes' 2001 classic The Royal Tenenbaums, playing Royal Tenenbaum. His performance was critically acclaimed, garnering a Golden Globe win for his efforts. Related: Donald Trump's Apparent Baldness Is Going Viral In A New Photo Gene, who was fairly private as a celebrity and effectively retired from acting in 2004, also didn't show up to collect the award itself — and according to a new Sunday Times interview with Wes, he very much wasn't a fan of making the film either. Related: 23 Celebrity Sex Secrets I Could've Gone My Entire Life Not Knowing, And Yet Here We Are 'Gene was very annoyed about the money,' Wes said in the interview, gesturing towards the flat pay rate that The Royal Tenenbaums' cast received across the board. 'He was furious. Also, he didn't want to do the film anyway." Wes went on to claim that he had to basically convince Gene to be in the film — and that he "wouldn't go away" until the storied actor said yes. "And everybody else said yes to the salary, so Gene just went with it — and that just became our way," he explained. Wes also said that Gene said "not a word" to him when they were finished filming. 'In fact he left without saying goodbye," he claimed. "He was grumpy — we had friction. He didn't enjoy it. I was probably too young and it was annoying to him.' In fact, the last conversation the two had — according to Wes, at least — was when The Royal Tenenbaums opened in theaters. "He liked it,' Wes recalled. 'But he told me he didn't understand it when we were shooting. I wish I'd shown him 10 minutes, early on. Then, maybe, he would have said, 'OK, I get it.'' The more you know about the movies you love! You can read the entire interview with Wes right here. Also in Celebrity: 19 Celebrities Who Are Way Smarter Than You Thought They Were — Like, One Is A Neuroscientist Also in Celebrity: Cassie Finally Broke Her Silence After Kanye West Decided To Publicly Support Diddy, And Her Response Is Exactly What Everyone Has Been Saying Also in Celebrity: 31 Celebrity Slip-Ups On Social Media That Revealed Wayyyy More Than They Ever Intended
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa expose harsh truth of caregiving. We can't go it alone.
Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa expose harsh truth of caregiving. We can't go it alone. | Opinion Humans are meant to live in communities, not isolation. If we, as a society, value love and devotion, we must also support those who embody it. Show Caption Hide Caption Death timeline of Gene Hackman, wife Gene Hackman and his wife died a week apart and from entirely different causes. No foul play is suspected in the deaths. I pushed open the door, stepping into the dim morning light of her hospital room. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic, a faint metallic tang that clings to everything. She was sitting in bed, her face set in an expression I know too well, a picture of exhaustion and defiance. I pulled up a chair beside her bed. 'Good morning. How are you feeling today?' 'I'm fine, doctor,' she said quickly, dismissively. 'I need to go home.' I sighed. I'd anticipated this conversation. 'You were admitted with a severe case of pneumonia, and your oxygen levels were dangerously low last night. I'd like you to stay for at least another day or two to monitor.' Her jaw tightened. 'I can't stay. My husband needs me at home.' Opinion: Dementia care for aging families has an unexpected ally: You Who takes care of the caregiver? I watched as her fingers trembled against her blanket. She'd spent her later years caring for her husband as his dementia worsened. He depended on her for everything: his meals, his medications, his very sense of reality. 'I understand how much your husband relies on you,' I choose my words carefully, each spoken like a step through a minefield, 'but if you go home too soon, you might end up back here. Or worse.' She shook her head. 'I can't afford to be here another night. He won't understand where I am. He won't eat. He won't take his medicine. If I don't go home, I don't know what will happen ...' My heart clenched at the desperation in her voice. The physician in me wanted to argue, to fight for her health, yet the human in me saw her anguish and the impossible choice she faced. It was her health, or his survival. "I admire your strength," I told her. "But who takes care of you?" For the first time, she looked away. The silence between us was thick with unspoken truths. Finally, with reluctance, I said, 'I'll discharge you. But only if you promise that if you feel worse, you will come back." A long pause. Then, she nodded. "I promise." It was a lie. And we both knew it. Opinion: 'The Pitt' captures something real about doctors. Medicine can benefit from it. Why is caregiving so hard? Community can help. As I signed her discharge papers, I thought of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. How she, frail but devoted, cared for him in his final years. How she succumbed to Hantavirus, leaving him lost, confused, and ultimately following her in death. It was tragic tale of love and suffering, echoing in countless homes across our country. I watched as my patient left, hunched over but determined, ready to return to her life of servitude. I should've felt relieved, having granted her wish. Instead, grief entwined my heart for the burden she bears alone – that she shouldn't have to bear alone. That no one should have to bear alone. Humans are meant to live in communities, not isolation. We thrive on connection, not detachment. Betsy and Gene's tragic story is a stark reminder that, irrespective of social and financial circumstances, we all need a helping hand. So let's take a moment to connect. Check on your neighbors. Drop off a meal. Offer a helping hand. Sit with someone who is fraying beneath the burden of a loved one's desperate needs. A small act of kindness could lessen the pain of those who struggle in silence. If we, as a society, value love and devotion, we must also support those who embody it. In the words of Helen Keller, "Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.' Let us bring back the power of community – not tomorrow, not someday, but now. Saad Khan is a hospitalist physician working at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee. This column originally appeared in The Tennessean.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa, and the weight of devotion
I pushed open the door, stepping into the dim morning light of her hospital room. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic, a faint metallic tang that clings to everything. She was sitting in bed, her face set in an expression I know too well, a picture of exhaustion and defiance. I pulled up a chair beside her bed. 'Good morning. How are you feeling today?' 'I'm fine, doctor,' she said quickly, dismissively. 'I need to go home.' I sighed. I'd anticipated this conversation. 'You were admitted with a severe case of pneumonia, and your oxygen levels were dangerously low last night. I'd like you to stay for at least another day or two to monitor.' Her jaw tightened. 'I can't stay. My husband needs me at home.' Opinion: Family caregivers struggle with duty and paying bills. TN must expand paid leave. I watched as her fingers trembled against her blanket. She'd spent her later years caring for her husband as his dementia worsened. He depended on her for everything: his meals, his medications, his very sense of reality. 'I understand how much your husband relies on you—' I choose my words carefully, each spoken like a step through a minefield—'but if you go home too soon, you might end up back here. Or worse.' She shook her head. 'I can't afford to be here another night. He won't understand where I am. He won't eat. He won't take his medicine. If I don't go home, I don't know what will happen...' My heart clenched at the desperation in her voice. The physician in me wanted to argue, to fight for her health, yet the human in me saw her anguish and the impossible choice she faced. It was her health, or his survival. "I admire your strength," I told her. "But who takes care of you?" For the first time, she looked away. The silence between us was thick with unspoken truths. Finally, with reluctance, I said, 'I'll discharge you. But only if you promise that if you feel worse, you will come back." A long pause. Then, she nodded. "I promise." It was a lie. And we both knew it. As I signed her discharge papers, I thought of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. How she, frail but devoted, cared for him in his final years. How she succumbed to Hantavirus, leaving him lost, confused, and ultimately following her in death. It was tragic tale of love and suffering, echoing in countless homes across our country. I watched as my patient left, hunched over but determined, ready to return to her life of servitude. I should've felt relieved, having granted her wish. Instead, grief entwined my heart for the burden she bears alone—that she shouldn't have to bear alone. That no one should have to bear alone. Opinion: Tennessee is worst in the nation in supporting caregivers, but here's how to change that Humans are meant to live in communities, not isolation. We thrive on connection, not detachment. Betsy and Gene's tragic story is a stark reminder that, irrespective of social and financial circumstances, we all need a helping hand. So let's take a moment to connect. Check on your neighbors. Drop off a meal. Offer a helping hand. Sit with someone who is fraying beneath the burden of a loved one's desperate needs. A small act of kindness could lessen the pain of those who struggle in silence. If we, as a society, value love and devotion, we must also support those who embody it. In the words of Helen Keller, "Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much'. Let us bring back the power of community—not tomorrow, not someday, but now. Saad Khan is a hospitalist physician working at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa remind us to care for each other | Opinion
