Emma Heming Willis has shared her experiences as a caregiver for her husband, actor Bruce Willis, who is battling dementia. In her upcoming memoir, "The Unexpected Journey," set to be released in Australia, she details the challenges and emotional toll of his diagnosis.

Heming Willis first noticed changes in Bruce during family dinners. She observed him becoming disengaged from conversations with their daughters. "When we first got together, this never posed a real problem. Years later, however, I began to notice him sort of check out if we were at a dinner party or meal with the entire family," she wrote.

Bruce Willis, 70, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in February 2023, following an earlier diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder. Heming Willis expressed her initial doubts about the aphasia diagnosis, stating, "I wasn’t convinced that my husband’s symptoms were consistent with aphasia." She emphasized the importance of trusting one’s instincts and seeking medical advice when something feels off.

In her memoir, Heming Willis reflects on the painful decision to establish a separate home nearby for Bruce, where he could receive round-the-clock care. She described the emotional difficulty of explaining this decision to their daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11. "In fact, it’s still painful for me. After all, this is my husband, and having him in another home was not part of the future we’d mapped out together," she wrote.

Heming Willis also highlighted the lack of initial guidance she received after Bruce's diagnosis. She stressed the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves, a message that resonates with many who face the physical and emotional challenges of caregiving.

"I know that no two caregiving journeys are the same, but we are connected by the same unchosen thread. It’s not an easy path for you, your loved one, or your family," she wrote. "But I’m here to let you know that you are not alone and, in time, you will find your footing and a way forward."

The memoir aims to provide support and advice for others navigating similar experiences with loved ones suffering from dementia.

In a recent interview, Heming Willis expressed her longing for connection with Bruce, saying, "We get moments. Sometimes you'll see that twinkle in his eye or that smirk - and I just get transported. And it's just hard to see that because, as quickly as those moments appear, then it goes."

Dementia is a growing concern, with new statistics indicating it is the leading cause of death for women in Australia and the second leading cause for men. More than 425,000 Australians are estimated to be living with dementia, a condition that affects memory, speech, cognition, emotions, and mobility.

As the public becomes more aware of dementia, filmmakers have increasingly portrayed the experiences of patients and caregivers. These films help to normalize the condition and its impact on families.

Heming Willis's memoir, "The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path," will be published by HarperCollins in Australia on September 16.