Americans are unprepared for the expensive and complex process of aging – a geriatrician explains how they can start planning

Addressing the financial and personal aspects of aging proactively helps to ensure that you will receive the care you need – and want – as you age.

By: Kahli Zietlow, University of Michigan, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: November 18, 2025

Words: 1,445

Last Updated: 2 days, 8 hours ago

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By Kahli Zietlow, University of Michigan

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in February 2025. Hackman had been living with Alzheimer’s and depended on Arakawa as his full-time caregiver.

Disturbingly, postmortem data suggests that Arakawa died of complications from pulmonary Hantavirus several days before her husband passed. The discordant times of death point to a grim scenario: Hackman was left alone and helpless, trapped …

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