Emma Heming Willis, wife of action star Bruce Willis, is opening up about her experience as a caregiver for her husband, who was recently diagnosed with dementia. In an exclusive interview with Hoda Kotb on TODAY, Emma shared her journey and discussed the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia.
Emma, a mother of two and founder of Make Time Wellness, joined the show to kick off World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week, alongside Susan Dickinson, CEO of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. She shared an update on Bruce’s health and shed light on the challenges faced by caregivers.
According to Emma, dementia is a challenging condition that affects not only the individual diagnosed with it, but also their family. She expressed uncertainty about whether Bruce fully understands his condition.
Bruce Willis’ recent health diagnoses
In March 2022, Bruce Willis’ family announced that he had been diagnosed with aphasia, which caused him to step away from his acting career. Aphasia is a disorder that impacts a person’s language processing and communication abilities. It can affect their ability to understand speech, read, write, and express themselves verbally.
In February 2023, Bruce Willis’ family provided an update on his health, revealing that his condition had progressed and he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. This form of dementia affects the language processing areas of the brain and can result in changes in speech, behavior, personality, and executive functioning skills. The symptoms of frontotemporal dementia are different from those of Alzheimer’s disease.
Emma Heming Willis emphasized the importance of recognizing and understanding the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia, as it is often misdiagnosed. Signs may include difficulties in expressing thoughts, losing the meaning of words, financial problems, work-related issues, and poor decision-making.
Accepting her husband’s diagnosis has been both challenging and enlightening for Emma. While it doesn’t make the situation any less painful, understanding what Bruce is going through has helped her come to terms with their new reality.
Caregiving for a loved one with dementia
Emma prefers to refer to herself as a “care partner” rather than a caretaker. She believes it’s vital for care partners to prioritize self-care so they can provide the best support to their loved ones.
She expressed gratitude for the valuable lessons Bruce has taught their daughters, including love, patience, and resilience. Despite the difficulties they face, Emma described the experience as a beautiful thing amidst the sadness.
Bruce Willis’ stepdaughters, Scout and Tallulah Willis, shared their admiration and support for Emma’s bravery in sharing their family’s story and raising awareness about frontotemporal dementia.
To further raise awareness, Emma Heming Willis is releasing a series of videos discussing caregiving for someone with frontotemporal dementia on her YouTube channel throughout World FTD Awareness Week.
For more information on frontotemporal dementia and caregiving resources, visit the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration’s website.
For guidance and support regarding frontotemporal dementia, contact AFTD’s HelpLine at 866-507-7222 or email [email protected].
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