Observations about the demise of Gene Hackman

He had deteriorated to the point he could no longer take care of himself and was totally dependent upon his wife. She passed and they had nobody who checked on them. Gene died a terrible death. How can an isolated elderly couple avoid such a fate? In a scenario where one suffers diminished mental capability and the other becomes the sole caregiver? What kind of precautions could they take to prepare for a worst case scenario? Assume no kids. Nobody locally who might regularly drop by.