According to court documents, 80-year-old John Kotopka said he was exhausted from caring for 78-year-old Janet Kotopka who was diagnosed with the degenerative memory disease two years ago.It was early Sunday morning when a marriage of 57 years ended in a Lincoln, Nebraska, house.Kotopka told police he was in the living room with his wife, Janet, when he went upstairs to fully load and get his revolver, according to court documents. He then came down and shot her once in the head. Documents state that Kotopka said he started thinking about seriously hurting her 10 days before and that.Now police and health leaders want you to know, you are not alone, and help is available if you need to get a loved one into a memory care facility."They’re there, they're available and we suggest that they always look at those avenues, prior to taking drastic actions," Lincoln Police Department’s Acting Police Chief Brian Jackson said."Caregivers themselves can experience medical problems simply because of the stress of caring for their loved ones at home," Legacy Pointe Rehabilitation Center’s Chadd Russell said. Russell said the biggest problem is most people don't know there are options."The sad reality of situations like this is many times, they're avoidable," Russell said. Court documents said Kotopka also said he was worried about the financial responsibility of putting Janet in a nursing home."For people who are struggling financially, that support is available to them through the state Medicare office," Russell said. Kotopka has been charged with first degree assault and the use of a firearm to commit a felony.He's being held on 10% of a $500,000 bond.Lincoln police said now that Janet has died, they are going to review the charges as they do an autopsy.Click here to find resources for help.
According to court documents, 80-year-old John Kotopka said he was exhausted from caring for 78-year-old Janet Kotopka who was diagnosed with the degenerative memory disease two years ago.
It was early Sunday morning when a marriage of 57 years ended in a Lincoln, Nebraska, house.
Kotopka told police he was in the living room with his wife, Janet, when he went upstairs to fully load and get his revolver, according to court documents. He then came down and shot her once in the head.
Documents state that Kotopka said he started thinking about seriously hurting her 10 days before and that.
Now police and health leaders want you to know, you are not alone, and help is available if you need to get a loved one into a memory care facility.
"They’re there, they're available and we suggest that they always look at those avenues, prior to taking drastic actions," Lincoln Police Department’s Acting Police Chief Brian Jackson said.
"Caregivers themselves can experience medical problems simply because of the stress of caring for their loved ones at home," Legacy Pointe Rehabilitation Center’s Chadd Russell said.
Russell said the biggest problem is most people don't know there are options.
"The sad reality of situations like this is many times, they're avoidable," Russell said.
Court documents said Kotopka also said he was worried about the financial responsibility of putting Janet in a nursing home.
"For people who are struggling financially, that support is available to them through the state Medicare office," Russell said.
Kotopka has been charged with first degree assault and the use of a firearm to commit a felony.
He's being held on 10% of a $500,000 bond.
Lincoln police said now that Janet has died, they are going to review the charges as they do an autopsy.
Click here to find resources for help.
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