Emma Hemming Willis has disclosed that seeking support played a crucial role in helping her navigate the emotional turmoil following her husband Bruce Willis‘ dementia diagnosis.
She also shared a list of organizations ready to provide assistance to individuals with loved ones affected by dementia.
Bruce Willis’ Wife Says Having Support ‘Felt Like The Heavens Opened Up’
In a video shared on her Instagram page, Emma opened up to fans about how having support was the “game changer” that helped her get out of a “dark place” after her husband’s dementia diagnosis.
Reflecting on her experience, Emma said finding a connection helped her to start “building a community around her that had shared experiences.” To her, it “felt like the heavens opened up,” making it easier to deal with the emotional turmoil she was grappling with.
The stunning blonde advised fans facing a similar situation that their friends and family may not know “what to say, how to show up,” or “what to do,” and emphasized not to take it out on them.
“That’s OK,” she said. “If they don’t have that shared experience, it could be really hard for them to be able to show up. They get a pass.”
She also mentioned that friends falling into this category could simply be there to “listen,” adding that this was all she needed them to do.
Emma Hemming Willis Listed Support Groups People Could Contact
Recognizing the difficulty in finding the right support, Emma provided a list of ways to make it possible. She suggested starting at the “neurology office,” as they typically have a social worker on site who can offer information about support groups.
The model went on to mention three organizations—Hilarity for Charity, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), and Lorenzo’s House—all of which host “online virtual support groups” to assist individuals caring for loved ones with dementia. She also informed fans that they could find links to these support groups in her bio.
Concluding her video, Emma urged individuals facing similar situations to consider her advice for its therapeutic benefits.
She said, “Please find support. When you’re able to share with someone that knows what you’re going through, it honestly feels like the biggest, warmest hug.”
Fans Thank Bruce Willis’ Wife For Her Advice
After the post, fans expressed gratitude to Emma for the advice, acknowledging her impact on raising awareness for FTD.
One fan said, “Emma, your post in itself is like a warm hug for everyone that needs this information. You’re just the nicest human.”
Another mentioned, “I just want to say how thoughtful & caring it was of you to do all of this research finding support groups for all of us who are taking care of loved ones with Dementia/Alzheimer’s etc. while you’re going through so much yourself.”
Other fans echoed Emma’s perspective, supporting her view that many family and friends may not be able to provide the right kind of support.
A follower mentioned, “Great advice! You’re so right about family and friends who don’t understand this disease and don’t know what to say or do
One more person commented, “Emma, agreed- we need to build community, they’re the folks that understand what you’re going through, it’s what motivates me. Glad you’re using your platform to help others.”
All About Bruce Willis’ Dementia Condition
Back in March 2022, Willis’ family disclosed that the actor was dealing with aphasia and was “stepping” away from acting.
Then, in February of the following year, they revealed an additional diagnosis of Frontotemporal dementia—a progressive disease leading to speech and language problems, emotional blunting, and changes in social behavior.
Fast forward to October, a friend of Willis, Glenn Gordon Caron, confirmed that the 68-year-old Die Hard star was no longer “totally verbal” and had lost his “language skills.”
“He’s not totally verbal; he used to be a voracious reader — he didn’t want anyone to know that — and he’s not reading now,” said the “Moonlighting” creator at the time, per Page Six. “All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he’s still Bruce.”
Since being diagnosed, Willis has made fewer and fewer public appearances and was last spotted taking a solo walk on the streets of Santa Monica last December.
