In a candid appearance at Endwell 2025, actress and model Emma Heming Willis shared her personal struggle in caring for her husband Bruce Willis, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023. The couple, married since 2009, has been navigating the challenges of FTD together.
Emma revealed that she went to therapy after Bruce's diagnosis to prepare herself for the emotional and psychological burden of caring for him. She acknowledged that criticism from outside observers, particularly on social media, had taken a toll on her mental health. "The judgment comes from the outside," she said. "If you are not on the front lines of this, in that person’s house day in, day out, 365 days a year, you don't get a say and you don't get a vote."
Despite facing harsh opinions, Emma emphasized that her decision to move Bruce into a second home for round-the-clock care was made with their daughters' well-being in mind. "Their world has completely opened up, and so has my husband's," she said.
The couple's experience highlights the need for greater understanding and support for families dealing with dementia. FTD affects an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 Americans, representing around 10% to 20% of all dementia cases in the US. According to Emma, her neurologist warned her about the risks of caregiver burnout, which can shorten one's lifespan by up to eight years.
Emma has spoken publicly about seeking therapy and prioritizing self-care to cope with the stress of caregiving. She emphasizes the importance of finding joy in everyday activities that nourish the soul, such as spending time in nature or reconnecting with loved ones. "What are the things that are going to feed my soul?" she asked.
By sharing her story, Emma aims to raise awareness about FTD and reduce stigma surrounding caregiving. Her efforts are part of a broader movement to support families affected by dementia, which often require significant emotional, physical, and financial resources.
Emma revealed that she went to therapy after Bruce's diagnosis to prepare herself for the emotional and psychological burden of caring for him. She acknowledged that criticism from outside observers, particularly on social media, had taken a toll on her mental health. "The judgment comes from the outside," she said. "If you are not on the front lines of this, in that person’s house day in, day out, 365 days a year, you don't get a say and you don't get a vote."
Despite facing harsh opinions, Emma emphasized that her decision to move Bruce into a second home for round-the-clock care was made with their daughters' well-being in mind. "Their world has completely opened up, and so has my husband's," she said.
The couple's experience highlights the need for greater understanding and support for families dealing with dementia. FTD affects an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 Americans, representing around 10% to 20% of all dementia cases in the US. According to Emma, her neurologist warned her about the risks of caregiver burnout, which can shorten one's lifespan by up to eight years.
Emma has spoken publicly about seeking therapy and prioritizing self-care to cope with the stress of caregiving. She emphasizes the importance of finding joy in everyday activities that nourish the soul, such as spending time in nature or reconnecting with loved ones. "What are the things that are going to feed my soul?" she asked.
By sharing her story, Emma aims to raise awareness about FTD and reduce stigma surrounding caregiving. Her efforts are part of a broader movement to support families affected by dementia, which often require significant emotional, physical, and financial resources.
I'm so moved by Emma's honest conversation about caring for her hubby Bruce 
She's not afraid to share the tough realities of FTD and how it affects the whole fam 
But honestly, who needs social media drama when there are real-life caregiving challenges to tackle? 
I'm all about spreading love and support for people going through this - we need more empathy and understanding 
Let's focus on self-care and finding joy in everyday life 
And btw, has anyone tried that new AI-powered care platform? 
It's supposed to be a game-changer for families dealing with dementia 
I feel so bad for Emma & Bruce... caring for someone with FTD must be super tough... I mean, I cant even imagine how hard it is 2 take care of someone all day everyday 
... I think its really brave of Emma 2 share her story & speak out about the struggles she's facing 
, especially when you're not prepared for it 
. Emma's story is heartbreaking 
. It takes a lot of courage to speak up about your struggles 
, like she did. I'm so glad she's finding ways to prioritize her mental health and self-care 
. She's right, we should be supporting each other in this journey 
. Every little bit counts 
demensia affects 10%20% of all cases in US, but we dont get much info about it 
. We should def be talkin' more about this & find ways to make care easier for fams 
. Also,Emma's point abt "judgment comin" from outsiders is real 
. Lets give her a follow 
Emma's reminder that we don't know what someone is going through just by watching from the outside is so true 
. Emma's right, we don't know what it's like to care for someone 365 days a year, so we shouldn't be making judgments from the outside 
50k+ people in the US living with FTD and nobody seems to care 
except for her who's been brave enough to speak up 
we gotta be there for families like hers 
and we need to raise awareness and change the narrative around caregiving 
.
. It's like, we need more people like Emma speaking out about this and helping to raise awareness 
. And honestly, I'm kinda jealous that she gets to experience all the little moments with Bruce 
. My heart is literally breaking for you guys 
& honestly, i think emma sounds kinda smart 4 goin 2 therapy 2 cope w/ all da stress caregiving can b 
Emma Heming Willis is a true hero for speaking up about this stuff. I mean, people on social media can be really harsh, but it's so important to raise awareness and break down that stigma around caregiving. We need more people like her who are willing to share their experiences and help others navigate these tough times. And honestly, I think Emma's right - what's gonna feed our souls? Nature walks, loved ones time... we need more of those things in our lives! 
. Emma's right, if you're not walking in their shoes, you can't really understand what they're going through 
.
. That's such a great message for all of us, especially when it comes to mental health 
.
I think it's so brave of her to speak up about the judgment she's faced online - like, can't people just keep their opinions to themselves?