Experts Weigh in on Bruce Willis's Separate Residence Amid Dementia Battle

Emma Heming Willis disclosed that her spouse, Bruce Willis, relocated to a distinct residence apart from their household as he navigates his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis — and specialists are explaining to Us Weekly the potential effects of such a move on a patient’s daily existence.

“Frequently, remaining in one’s own residence can be beneficial, offering a well-known setting that supports the maintenance of an individual’s customary activities,” Mallory Grivner, a licensed clinical social worker with a group therapy practice focusing on aging, grief, caregiving, and anxiety, exclusively informs Us Weekly. “This can, on occasion, encourage greater self-reliance. Furthermore, based on an individual’s cognitive state, departing a cherished family home might lead to significant feelings of sadness and bereavement, which could sometimes intensify dementia and/or depressive symptoms.”

Regarding the considerations involved when a patient’s family chooses to transition them into specialized care, Grivner, who is not Willis’s therapist, states, “Residential situations frequently hinge on several elements, such as the availability of caregivers, the physical layout of the home, the person's specific care requirements, objectives for their care, and financial resources.”

She further notes, “These choices are difficult, and it is beneficial to ascertain an individual’s desires while they can still engage in these discussions. It is crucial to recall that even if the initial decision is for the person to remain at home throughout the illness, these arrangements are subject to change, and often do. People frequently experience guilt about needing to place a loved one in a facility, but providing care is exceptionally demanding, and prioritizing one's own well-being is essential.”

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Heming Willis, aged 49, initially disclosed that her spouse had transitioned into his own dwelling apart from their household during ABC’s Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey on August 26. The program detailed that the performer moved to the property “a while back” and benefits from the oversight of a dedicated full-time care team to handle his FTD.

Heming Willis, who has daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, with Willis, 70, confessed that relocating her husband into his own residence was “among the most difficult choices” she faced, as stated in an interview with People released on Wednesday, September 3.

Individuals with FTD often exhibit sensitivity to sound, a detail Heming Willis highlighted during the ABC special. Additional symptoms can involve a diminished capacity to speak, write, recall, and understand language effectively.

Following Willis’s diagnosis, Heming Willis shared that she restricted her children from hosting friends and experienced feelings of “isolation.” With Willis now getting appropriate care in a distinct residence, the children have managed to reclaim a degree of ordinary life, continuing to see their father consistently while also having opportunities to engage socially with peers.

"We have two young children, and it was simply vital that they possessed a home environment that catered to their requirements and that Bruce could occupy a space that served his needs … The children can now host playdates and sleepovers [again] without needing to move around cautiously,” Heming Willis remarked about the residential setup.

Dr. Kylie Meyer, a gerontologist and assistant professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, exclusively informs Us that it’s “not unusual for individuals with dementia to reside in a distinct home from their main caregiver, like in assisted living or memory care centers.”

Nonetheless, she states that it is “considerably less frequent to possess an additional home, which is understandable given financial limitations.”

“However, each family differs regarding their requirements and available means,” Meyer, who is not Willis’s doctor, observes. “Families ought to pursue what is most logical for their particular circumstances. Yet, certain scenarios [where ] can be unfavorable: when a domestic setting poses dangers, a relocation might be necessary.”

Meyer proceeds, “Although numerous adjustments can be made to a home to enhance safety for a person with dementia, this may not be practical for every family. We must also consider the caregiver: what is the impact of this residential setup on them? Particularly for spousal caregivers, various forms of dementia can severely hinder their capacity for restful sleep, which is critically important for their own well-being and that of the care recipient.”

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Meyer states that it is likewise customary for individuals “to explore different residential solutions” when the “well-being and security of the person with dementia or the caregiver are jeopardized.”

Heming Willis elaborated on the factors influencing her choice to have Willis reside in an additional property, following her disclosure that she pursued therapy for depression concurrently with her search for appropriate care and solutions for her spouse.

“Occasionally, it necessitates evaluating your dwelling,” she mentioned during a podcast guest appearance on Tuesday, September 2. “You must assess if it is secure for an individual to reside in this home. Is it safe for me, and is it safe for our children? It represents a deeply individual choice, but ultimately, it revolves around security. It involves making the most suitable determination for yourself, your family, and your loved one.”

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Residential security is considered a “foremost concern” by certified caregiving consultant Nancy Treaster for families supporting dementia patients, irrespective of whether they remain in their current family home or relocate to an alternative dwelling.

“Individuals with dementia frequently roam and could encounter hazardous circumstances, thus families need to proficiently ‘childproof’ their home for an adult-sized individual,” Treaster, who cocreates “The Caregiver's Journey” podcast alongside Sue Ryan, exclusively informs Us. “This entails restricting entry to exterior doors and particular rooms using child-resistant door covers or latches, safeguarding sharp objects in secured cupboards, fitting child-safe covers on stove controls, enclosing thermostats, possibly locking refrigerators — and obstructing staircases.”

Treaster further states, “Each residence necessitates a thorough safety assessment.”

Heming Willis confessed it was “gut-wrenching” to transition Willis into his individual residence, yet FTD "demands a tranquil and peaceful environment."

"The overall atmosphere now feels considerably more composed, more relaxed," she conveyed to People regarding the choice.