Aurora Starchild
Bruce Willis’ recent dementia diagnosis has sent much of the world reeling. His family has a long journey ahead as they learn to cope and help their loved one as his condition progresses. But fortunately for them and for him, they intend on helping him live his life to the fullest with the time they have left.
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Bruce Willis’ Family Is Keeping His Mind and Body Active
A source close to Willis’ family has told People that “the focus for Bruce is to keep him active. He has a busy schedule with activities every day. They make sure both his body and brain is exercised.”
The source added that “The family is all closer than ever… [his wife, Emma Heming] wants them to remember Bruce as an amazing, fun dad. She wants them to have the best memories of him.”
The goal is to keep Bruce “living life to the fullest,” which is what he would want for everyone.
Bruce Willis’ family first broke the news that the Die Hard actor was having health problems in March of 2022. At the time, they said he had aphasia and that it was “impacting his cognitive abilities” and that he was retiring. They also added that they weren’t going to just sit back and let him suffer. “As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that,” they wrote.
Then two days after Valentine’s Day, the Willis family informed the public that Bruce had received a specific diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). According to the Dementia Society, FTD is “a clinical syndrome associated with shrinking of the frontal and temporal anterior lobes of the brain.”
Bruce Willis Was Diagnosed With the Language Type of Frontotemporal Dementia
FTD can further be classified into two primary types, either affecting behavior or language and communication. The behavior type often leads to symptoms such as outbursts, inappropriate behaviors, and lack of empathy or disconnected emotions. The language type “primarily features symptoms of language disturbance, including difficulty making or understanding speech.” Willis reportedly has the language type. While at first this may seem relieving, the Dementia Society notes that its symptoms can occur “in conjunction” with those observed in the behavioral type. Essentially this means that Bruce Willis’ condition could progress in different ways and his family will need to find ways to adjust.
Exercise Is One of the Best Ways to Slow Down Progressive Symptoms
But there are ways to slow down dementia’s progress. Research is ongoing, but studies suggest that regular exercise is one of the best ways to not only prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia, but also to slow the disease down. There are numerous benefits of exercise for those who have any form of the disease. According to Dementia Australia, benefits include:
- Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
- Prevention of muscle weakness
- Prevention of mobility problems which can occur when someone is chronically inactive
- Improved mood
Dementia Australia specifically recommends regular aerobic exercise. The organization states that “exercise may improve blood flow to the brain, reduce cardiovascular risk factors and possibly stimulate nerve cell growth and survival.” In addition to aerobic exercise, resistance or weight training and balance and flexibility exercises can help.
People With Alzheimer’s and Dementia Should Focus on Light and Fun Activities
The National Institute on Aging lists helpful tips for ensuring the safety of a loved one with Alzheimer’s during exercise. They include:
- Making sure your loved one is wearing nonslip shoes and comfortable clothes
- Ensuring that they stay hydrated
- Placing an ID bracelet on them in case they wander off
- Doing short “mini-workouts”
- Going on easy walks, which can also be beneficial to care givers
- Making the exercise activities fun
- Playing music or watching exercise videos while working out
- Dancing
- Throwing a soft exercise ball or balloon back and forth
- Using a stationary bike
- Using stretching bands
- Doing easy household tasks like dusting or sweeping
- Lifting light weights which can also be in the form of household goods such as soup cans
Not all dementia is the Alzheimer’s type, but similar symptoms can occur in different people. Lack of coordination, depression, and a lack of interest from too much mundane repetition, illness, and muscle pain are common. Exercise can help by giving a person something to focus on, work toward, be excited about, and also increase their physical health.
Some Inspirational Stories About How Exercise Can Help
The Alzheimer’s Society has several case studies on its website of people who have been diagnosed with the disease but do regular exercise. Peter Berry has Alzheimer’s and uses cycling to improve his wellbeing.
“When I cycle, I leave my dementia at home. I become who I was, not who I am,” he wrote. “Despite dementia stripping me of so many things, that’s me taking back from dementia. It’s not a one-way street after all…Cycling is my medication; the fresh air is my anti-depressant…I cycle because I love to cycle and it makes me Peter Berry, the cyclist, Peter Berry, the man, not Peter Berry, living with early-onset dementia.”
Tracey Shorthouse is diagnosed with dementia and chooses to go to the gym for her wellbeing. She follows a program that includes stretching, weights, squats, treadmill, and balance training. Despite her diagnosis and also having asthma, she’s managed to lose weight and go from needing two walking sticks to only one. She wrote that there’s been a need to talk with staff so they can assist her in certain ways, including lowering the volume of loud music. But with enough communication and teamwork, Tracey has been seeing numerous benefits and found something to look forward to.
“Hopefully this work will encourage others to get involved in physical activities. And help organizations understand the difficulties that people may have,” she writes.
Bruce Willis’ Wife Emma Heming Has Been Documenting Some of Their Family Time
While we haven’t yet heard many details on how Bruce Willis’ family is keeping him occupied, there have been quite a few videos and pictures documenting their time together. Prior to his diagnosis, his wife posted an adorable video of him playing with his daughter Mabel on a ski hill. Just a few weeks after the diagnosis, Mabel photographed her parents sitting outside “in their favorite habitat.” On Father’s Day last June, Bruce was goofing around with Emma and their daughters, having a blast on the floor. A month later, he was dancing. In August, he was checking out a robin’s nest with Evelyn. And that same month, he was absolutely shredding a harmonica while his son-in-law played the guitar.
Despite the road ahead with Bruce’s disease, his family is dedicated to making the most of everything. And it’s clear that Bruce isn’t just an award-winning actor, but an award-winning dad. My heart goes out to him and his family and anyone who is in their shoes. May we all remember to cherish what is most important and live life to the fullest with those whom we love.
