Why is Bruce Willis living in “2nd home” amid dementia struggle? Wife Emma Heming provides health update

In a recent update, Emma Heming Willis disclosed that her husband Bruce Willis had moved into what she described as a second home, a step taken as the actor continued to face the challenges of frontotemporal dementia. The revelation came during ABC’s Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, A Diane Sawyer Special.

“It was one of the hardest decisions that I’ve had to make so far, but I knew, first and foremost, Bruce would want that for our daughters. You know, he would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his needs.” Heming Willis shared.

The residence, a single-story house situated not far from their original home, became the space where Bruce Willis lived full-time with the support of his care team. Despite the separation, Heming Willis emphasized that she and their daughters, Mabel Ray, and Evelyn Penn, remained a constant presence. The family joined him frequently for meals, maintaining routines such as breakfast and dinner together.

Emma Heming Willis shares health update on Bruce Willis three years after dementia diagnosis:

Emma Heming Willis shared how her husband Bruce Willis was doing three years after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. She said that although his brain was “failing him,” the actor’s physical health remained strong. “Bruce is still very mobile, Bruce is in really great health overall, you know. It’s just his brain that is failing him.” she told Diane Sawyer.

Heming Willis, who recently detailed her family’s journey in her memoir The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, explained that one of the biggest changes had been in his language skills.

“The language is going, and, you know, we’ve learned to adapt, and we have a way of communicating with him, which is just a … different way.” she shared.

She recalled noticing the first troubling signs years ago, when Bruce Willis began withdrawing during family gatherings.

“For someone who is very talkative and very engaged, he was just a little more quiet. And when the family would get together, he would kind of just melt a little bit, It felt a little removed, very cold, not like Bruce, who was very warm and affectionate. To go in the complete opposite of that was alarming and scary.” she explained.

The special also featured Dr. Bruce Miller, an expert in FTD, who noted that the disease was often misunderstood.

“This is really the unknown disease. People weren’t aware of it really until the 1990s. The research on this really has just begun,” he explained.

Heming Willis admitted that at first, the diagnosis left her stunned.

“To leave there with no … with nothing, just nothing, with a diagnosis I couldn’t pronounce. I didn’t understand what it was, I was so panicked. And I just remember hearing it and just not hearing anything else. It was like I was free falling.” she explained.

Family of Bruce Willis called for awareness after confirming frontotemporal dementia diagnosis:

The Willis family revealed in February 2023 that Bruce Willis had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The announcement was made in a statement posted on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration’s website.

“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD),” the family shared.

They explained that communication difficulties were only one part of what Willis faced.

“Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it’s a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” the statement read.

The family noted that FTD was the most common form of dementia in people under 60, but often went undetected for years.

“Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”

They ended by expressing gratitude to the public.

“Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time.”