Bruce Willis' wife on Gene Hackman: Caregivers need care too
Emma Heming, who is currently taking care of Bruce Willis following his dementia diagnosis, says she is an advocate for caregivers.
The tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have highlighted the importance of caregivers.
Emma Heming, the wife of Hollywood icon Bruce Willis, shared her views on the topic this week. Heming is one of the 'Die Hard' actor's caregivers following his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
"Caregiving takes a village, yet most are doing it alone. And let me tell you – it’s not sustainable. Check in on caregivers. Show up for them. Without them, none of this works," she said on Instagram.
Hackman, 95, reportedly had Alzheimer's and Arakawa, 65, was his caregiver. The couple were found dead in their Santa Fe Summit, New Mexico, home in late February.
It was later revealed that they died one week apart. Authorities believe Arakawa died first due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
According to the Mayo Clinic, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease that is carried by rodents.
"[It] begins with flu-like symptoms and progresses rapidly to more severe disease. It can lead to life-threatening lung and heart problems."
Arakawa was discovered in one of their home's bathrooms. By the time she was found, decomposition and mummification had already started.
Hackman was found on the floor near the kitchen with his walking stick nearby. Authorities believe he likely did not know that his wife had died.
His cause of death was listed as heart disease "with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor". He is thought to have died on February 18, several days after Arakawa, as that was when his pacemaker recorded "abnormal activity".
They were both discovered on February 26. It remains unclear if his wife was his primary caregiver or if she had help.
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Heming shared a passionate video advocating for caregivers.
“So, this is not something I’d usually comment on, but I do really believe there is some learning in regards to this tragic passing of Mr and Mrs Hackman,” she began.
The British-American actress says their deaths highlight an important topic.
“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 they can continue to show up for their person."
Heming says there is a common misconception that caregivers have it figured out.
"I don’t subscribe to that. I think that we need to be showing up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person," she said.
The actress has two children with Willis – daughters Mabel Rae and Evelyn Penn. Willis' ex-wife, Demi Moore, and their children, Rumer, Tallulah and Scout, have supported Heming in her caregiver journey.
Heming has advocated for caregivers long before Hackman and Arakawa's deaths.
She has previously urged people to be more intentional with their support. "Let's stop saying, 'Let me know if there's anything I can do to help,' and start saying, 'Here's how I can help,'" she wrote in a previous post.
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Main image credit: Instagram/@emmahemingwillis