Latest news with #NationalCaregiversDay
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bruce Willis' wife decrees, after Gene Hackman's death, 'Caregivers need care too'
Before Gene Hackman died, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, was the 95-year-old's primary caregiver. Bruce Willis' wife, Emma Heming, has been the "Die Hard" star's primary caregiver since he stepped away from acting in March 2022. The deaths of Arakawa and Hackman, one after the other over the course of a week or so in February, are why Heming is speaking out this week about the importance of caring for caregivers — and anyone who has ever cared for a sick loved one can relate to her message. "There is some learning in this story in regards to this tragic passing of Mr. and Mrs. Hackman," Heming said this week on social media. "It's just made me think of this broader story, and that is that caregivers need care too and that they are vital and that it is so important that we show up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person." Heming didn't mention her situation during her video, choosing instead to make it about the bigger picture. But the unspoken vibe was there. Bruce Willis left acting after he was diagnosed with aphasia and, a while later, with frontotemporal dementia. Read more: His wife dead, an ailing Gene Hackman was stranded alone in his house for days, authorities believe "I think that there's this common misconception that, like, caregivers, they got it figured out, they got it covered, they're good. I don't subscribe to that," Heming said in her Monday video before repeating herself: "I think that we need to show up for them so they can continue to show up for their person." Arakawa, who was 30 years younger than Hackman, was given her due after her death by his daughter Leslie Anne Allen. "I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive," she told a British outlet last week. "[Betsy] took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health." The two-time Oscar-winning actor died of heart disease and advanced Alzheimer's. Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but frequently fatal disease spread by rodents. Reports have said recently that she was seen wearing a mask — implying she was ill — when she ran errands the last time she was seen in public. Heming was struggling with a cold in a video posted Thursday. Getting sick more often, the Cleveland Clinic says, can be a sign of "caregiver burnout," a real condition with symptoms similar to stress and depression. Read more: Bruce Willis' wife Emma admits she is 'not good' as she copes with life as a caregiver Since it was recently National Caregivers Day, marked annually on the third Friday in February, Heming has been calling attention to those who care for people with Alzheimer's, advanced multiple sclerosis, cancer, stroke, Parkinson's and a host of other conditions that can render people unable to care for themselves. "Caregiving takes a village, yet most are doing it alone. And let me tell you — it's not sustainable," she wrote Tuesday on social media. "Check in on caregivers. Show up for them. Without them, none of this works." On Feb. 21, she captioned a photo, "Caregivers don't have the bandwidth to make another decision — so take it off their plate. Tell them what you can do. It will make all the difference." In the message that ran with that caption, she wrote, "Let's stop saying, 'Let me know if there is anything I can do to help,' and start saying, 'Here's how I can help.' " In another video, Heming chided doctors for not lining up resources in advance so they are ready to help support patients and their families on the day a diagnosis is made. Read more: Concerns about Bruce Willis' declining cognitive state swirled around sets in recent years "Doctors really need to have a road map of just some support, which is exactly the reason why I wrote my book, because I was handed a pamphlet. I was not handed one resource, and we've got to put put an end to that," she said, referring to "The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path," due out this September. Then she asked her followers to tell her what materials they had received from their doctors, and their wishes for information that wasn't provided. "The thing that just boggles my mind," Heming said, "is how do our doctors not already have a Rolodex of how to support caregivers? So that is something that I can't wait to dig into." Sign up for Indie Focus, a weekly newsletter about movies and what's going on in the wild world of cinema. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Bruce Willis' wife decrees, after Gene Hackman's death, ‘Caregivers need care too'
Before Gene Hackman died, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, was the 95-year-old's primary caregiver. Bruce Willis' wife, Emma Heming, has been the 'Die Hard' star's primary caregiver since he stepped away from acting in March 2022. The deaths of Arakawa and Hackman, one after the other over the course of a week or so in February, are why Heming is speaking out this week about the importance of caring for caregivers — and anyone who has ever cared for a sick loved one can relate to her message. 'There is some learning in this story in regards to this tragic passing of Mr. and Mrs. Hackman,' Heming said this week on social media. 'It's just made me think of this broader story, and that is that caregivers need care too and that they are vital and that it is so important that we show up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person.' Heming didn't mention her situation during her video, choosing instead to make it about the bigger picture. But the unspoken vibe was there. Bruce Willis left acting after he was diagnosed with aphasia and, a while later, with frontotemporal dementia. 'I think that there's this common misconception that, like, caregivers, they got it figured out, they got it covered, they're good. I don't subscribe to that,' Heming said in her Monday video before repeating herself: 'I think that we need to show up for them so they can continue to show up for their person.' Arakawa, who was 30 years younger than Hackman, was given her due after her death by his daughter Leslie Anne Allen. 'I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive,' she told a British outlet last week. '[Betsy] took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health.' The two-time Oscar-winning actor died of heart disease and advanced Alzheimer's. Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but frequently fatal disease spread by rodents. Reports have said recently that she was seen wearing a mask — implying she was ill — when she ran errands the last time she was seen in public. Heming was struggling with a cold in a video posted Thursday. Getting sick more often, the Cleveland Clinic says, can be a sign of 'caregiver burnout,' a real condition with symptoms similar to stress and depression. Since it was recently National Caregivers Day, marked annually on the third Friday in February, Heming has been calling attention to those who care for people with Alzheimer's, advanced multiple sclerosis, cancer, stroke, Parkinson's and a host of other conditions that can render people unable to care for themselves. 'Caregiving takes a village, yet most are doing it alone. And let me tell you — it's not sustainable,' she wrote Tuesday on social media. 'Check in on caregivers. Show up for them. Without them, none of this works.' On Feb. 21, she captioned a photo, 'Caregivers don't have the bandwidth to make another decision — so take it off their plate. Tell them what you can do. It will make all the difference.' In the message that ran with that caption, she wrote, 'Let's stop saying, 'Let me know if there is anything I can do to help,' and start saying, 'Here's how I can help.' ' In another video, Heming chided doctors for not lining up resources in advance so they are ready to help support patients and their families on the day a diagnosis is made. 'Doctors really need to have a road map of just some support, which is exactly the reason why I wrote my book, because I was handed a pamphlet. I was not handed one resource, and we've got to put put an end to that,' she said, referring to 'The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path,' due out this September. Then she asked her followers to tell her what materials they had received from their doctors, and their wishes for information that wasn't provided. 'The thing that just boggles my mind,' Heming said, 'is how do our doctors not already have a Rolodex of how to support caregivers? So that is something that I can't wait to dig into.'
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Brighton independent living community spotlights National Caregivers Day
BRIGHTON, N.Y. (WROC) – Friday is National Caregivers Day, which serves as an opportunity to show appreciation for those who take care of their loved ones in times of need. One story comes right out of St. John's Meadows Independent Living Community in Brighton, where gratitude knows no bounds. Bill Smith was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2018. His wife, Barbara Smith, has been at his side throughout their journey. 'It's a busy thing. I'm kind of doing things for both of us,' said Smith. The Smiths are part of the St. John's Meadows community in Brighton, and there, they say they have found a true community. 'National Caregivers Day is very close to our hearts here at St. Johns. About four years ago during COVID, we started an initiative that was aimed at supporting specifically caregivers whose loved ones have dementia. We actually, about a year ago, were able to do a respite program, which provides free resources and respite to caregivers. They can get fellowship, engagement and activities – and the caregiver themselves gets to have some free time,' said Jennifer Lesinski, vice president of marketing at St. John's Meadows. Friday, the St. John's community highlighted selfless love and care in people like Barbara Smith, as well as the staff who are working to make a difference day in and day out. 'We know a lot of these folks are doing it behind the scenes and are not recognized. It's really hard for caregivers to get time away from the caregiving role. They're doing this 24/7. They often don't have the resources, especially if they don't have family in the area,' said Lesinski. For Smith, she says there's no shortage of gratitude to St. John's for helping to enhance the quality of life for her husband, and for herself. 'I guess it's just that, yes, it's a lot of work. And yes, it can be stressful. But there's some good things about it, too. I get to spend time with him at this point in our lives and although that time is sometimes stressful, it also is very good. It's very good to spend time together for both of us,' said Smith. St. John's Meadows is currently raising funds for a new comprehensive center that will be dedicated to treating dementia and supporting caregivers. Officials hope to open the center in 2026. More information on ways to support St. John's capital campaign can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
National Caregivers Day is Feb. 21. Here's how to offer support.
Nearly 66 million Americans serve as a caregiver for a sick or disabled loved one, putting almost 29% of adults in a position where they're juggling constant care with all the usual stressors of life. With that, caregiving is a serious challenge. Caregivers are faced with numerous mental, physical and emotional health challenges, raising the risk they'll develop depression, burnout and other health issues. Unfortunately, many people aren't aware of these struggles — and caregivers end up suffering in silence as a result. "These individuals tend to make their personal needs a lower priority than those they are caring for," Hillary Ammon, a psychologist at the Center for Anxiety & Women's Emotional Wellness, tells Yahoo Life. That usually means skipping routine exercise, quality sleep and home-cooked meals. "If their role requires them to lift or carry loved ones, they may also experience physical pains or injuries," Ammon says. Some also deal with the struggle of caring for loved ones who may lash out at them, she says. Caregivers are also constantly stretched thin, Lezlie Poole, program innovation manager at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, tells Yahoo Life. "If there's one thing we never have enough of, it's time," she says. While there's never a bad time to honor the caregiver in your life, National Caregivers Day is on the third Friday of February, so in 2025 it falls on Feb. 21. This is a great opportunity to pay a little love and support forward. But trying to figure out what to give a caregiver can be tricky, given all that they do. "The best gift you can give a caregiver is the gift of personal time and self-care," Lakelyn Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiving advocate at Home Instead, tells Yahoo Life. In addition to doing what you can to give the caregiver in your life a much-needed break, giving thoughtful gifts that show your support and gratitude can go a long way toward helping them on their journey. No matter what you choose, Ammon says it's important to simply honor your caregiver. "If you have someone in your life, it is important to show up for them, even if they do not ask for help," she says. With that in mind, we consulted with several caregivers to learn more about gifts they loved, as well as what they would have enjoyed receiving. (Because many said gift cards were a godsend, we included a few choices below.) These are our favorite options to help you care for your favorite caregiver. Hillary Ammon, a psychologist at the Center for Anxiety & Women's Emotional Wellness Lezlie Poole, program innovation manager at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers Lakelyn Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiving advocate at Home Instead Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
