Bruce Willis's Diagnosis, Caregiver Burnout & The Brain Health Habits Every Woman Needs With Emma Willis

In this episode of SHE MD, Mary Alice Haney sits down with Emma Heming Willis, mother, stepmother, wife, advocate, and co-founder of Make Time Wellness, a brand dedicated to women’s brain health. Emma shares her journey navigating her husband Bruce Willis’ diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and the challenges of caregiving.

Emma opens up about recognizing the early warning signs, managing the complexities of a blended family, and building a support system that sustains both the caregiver and their loved one. She also discusses the concept of ambiguous loss and how relationships evolve when a partner’s cognitive abilities change.

Beyond caregiving, Emma dives into practical strategies for women to maintain brain health, including sleep, nutrition, mental stimulation, and social connection. She highlights the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking expert support.

Through her new book, The Unexpected Journey, and her work with Make Time Wellness, Emma provides actionable insights for caregivers and women prioritizing their brain health, emphasizing resilience, love, and community.

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What You’ll Learn

Strategies for women caregivers to maintain mental and physical health

Understanding frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and early warning signs

How to build a caregiving support system and engage blended families

Lifestyle approaches for women’s brain health, including sleep, nutrition, and mental stimulation

Tools to navigate ambiguous loss and adapt to changing relationships

Key Timestamps

00:00 Introduction with Mary Alice Haney and Emma Heming Willis

03:50 Emma meets Bruce Willis and navigates their blended family dynamics

14:50 Recognizing early signs of frontotemporal dementia and seeking diagnosis

22:40 Coping with the lack of caregiving resources and support

24:30 Prioritizing mental and physical health as a caregiver

31:40 Building a caregiving support system with experts and family involvement

35:20 Founding Make Time Wellness and creating actionable solutions for brain health

38:45 The impact of caregiving on relationships and navigating ambiguous loss

40:42 Closing thoughts on resilience, community support, and resources for caregivers

Key Takeaways

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) affects personality, behavior, and communication, often presenting differently than Alzheimer’s.

Caregiving is a family-wide challenge; support systems are essential to sustain caregivers’ health.

Ambiguous loss requires adaptive strategies to maintain relationships and emotional resilience.

Women can prioritize brain health through lifestyle habits: sleep, nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and social connection.

Sharing knowledge and resources helps caregivers feel supported and validated.

Guest Bio

Emma Heming Willis is a mother, stepmother, wife, advocate, and co-founder of Make Time Wellness, a brand dedicated to women’s brain health. Following her husband Bruce Willis’ diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Emma became a passionate voice for caregiving families and authored The Unexpected Journey, highlighting resilience, love, and the practical realities of supporting a