Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming publishes book for dementia caregivers 

(NewsNation) — Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, knew something was “off” with the “Die Hard” actor when she noticed a change in the way they communicated.  

“There were conversations that I recalled differently than Bruce did, and there seemed to be a lot of miscommunications between the two of us. Sometimes I'd think, 'Is he for real? Is he pretending? Or am I going crazy?' The disconnect was subtle but happening more and more,” she writes in her book “The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope and Yourself on the Caregiving Path.”  

The book, which was released on Tuesday, is described as “for anyone caregiving for a loved one with any form of dementia, and even for those caregiving for other conditions, 'The Unexpected Journey' shows that you are not alone.” 

Emma Heming Willis seeks caregiver help

The book follows her journey from “the day Emma Heming Willis’ husband, Bruce Willis, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD),” and the journey she’s been on ever since as Willis’ primary caretaker. 

”All they were given was a pamphlet and told to check back in a few months,” reads the book’s Amazon description. “With no hope or direction, Emma walked out of that doctor’s appointment frozen with fear, confusion and a sense that her world had just fallen apart." 

Emma Heming Willis praises Bruce Willis as loving 

In an excerpt of the book, obtained by People Magazine, Heming Willis writes that she grew increasingly frustrated with Willis as time went on before his diagnosis.  

“He didn't mention anything was amiss, and his doctors didn't flag any health concerns with me, so I assumed everything must be okay,” she wrote.  

She describes the type of person Willis was, describing him as a loving father and husband who loved being an actor.  

Heming Willis notes that it is painful for her to describe “The Sixth Sense” actor in the past tense, even though he is alive.  

“What a heart-wrenching gut punch. It's a quiet ache I carry daily,” she said.  

In July, the Daily Express reported that Willis can no longer read, speak or walk.  

Bruce Willis moves into second home 

Heming Willis revealed in a special “Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey – A Diane Sawyer Special” that the actor lives in a second home following his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.   

“It was one of the hardest decisions that I’ve had to make so far,” Heming Willis said in the special.  

“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.” 

The additional home is a one-story house where the “Die Hard” star lives with an around-the-clock care team. Heming Willis said the second house isn’t far from the family’s first home, according to Us Weekly.   

What is frontotemporal dementia?    

According to Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia is an “umbrella term” for brain diseases that impact the frontal and temporal lobes, which can shrink.    

People who develop FTD can experience changes in their personality and develop an inability to speak.    

There is currently no cure or treatment for FTD, but medications can be effective in mitigating behavioral issues associated with symptoms.