Eric Dane Now Receiving 24/7 Nursing Care During ALS Fight as Ex-Wife Rebecca Gayheart Offers Support
Eric Dane is now receiving round-the-clock medical care as he continues his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — and his ex-wife, Rebecca Gayheart, has quietly become one of the most important figures ensuring he gets the support he needs.
In a deeply personal essay written for The Cut, Gayheart, 54, offered a rare and candid look into what life has been like behind closed doors as she helps manage Dane’s care — despite the couple having separated in 2018.
“Eric has 24/7 nurses now,” Gayheart wrote, revealing that securing full-time in-home care required months of persistence, appeals, and emotional stamina.
Fighting the System to Get Care Approved
According to Gayheart, navigating the healthcare system proved to be one of the most exhausting challenges of all.
“Just figuring out the healthcare system is its own thing,” she explained.
“They deny you, you appeal, and then you apply again.”
At one point, she says an insurance representative flatly told her that approval was unlikely — a moment that only strengthened her resolve.
“I made it my mission,” Gayheart wrote.
“I locked it in.”
After two formal appeals, the request for continuous nursing care was finally approved.
Eric Dane’s ALS Diagnosis
Dane publicly revealed his diagnosis in April, sharing that he had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — a progressive neurological condition that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS gradually robs individuals of their ability to walk, speak, eat, and eventually breathe independently. While treatments can help slow progression, there is currently no cure.
Stepping In When Shifts Go Uncovered
Gayheart explained that Dane’s care schedule is divided into 21 nursing shifts, and when staffing gaps arise, she often fills in herself.
“There are times shifts aren’t covered, so I cover them,” she shared.
Balancing caregiving with raising their two daughters — Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 — can be overwhelming. In one instance, she was only able to cover part of a 12-hour shift due to her children’s obligations.
When Friends Answer the Call
When Gayheart couldn’t cover a shift, she turned to Dane’s close friends — including one who had never cared for him in that capacity before.
“I couldn’t believe I had to ask,” she admitted.
Both friends immediately showed up.
“They did a wonderful job,” she said.
When Support Fades — and Acceptance Takes Over
Gayheart also acknowledged that not everyone has been able to show up during this difficult chapter. Some people once close to Dane have drifted away — a reality she’s processed in therapy.
“Most people are not great in situations like this because it’s so heavy,” she explained.
Despite the pain, she says she carries no bitterness.
“I don’t hold any grudges toward anyone who hasn’t shown up.”
A Bond That Transcends Labels
Though Gayheart has previously described her relationship with Dane as “super complicated,” her actions speak to a deeper commitment rooted in family, dignity, and compassion.
As Eric Dane continues his fight against ALS, Rebecca Gayheart remains a steady presence — advocating, caregiving, and ensuring that his journey is met not only with medical support, but with humanity.
