Demi Moore gives moving update on ex-husband Bruce Willis' dementia battle

Demi Moore has provided an emotional update regarding her former husband , Bruce Willis, as he courageously faces dementia.

Speaking at the 2024 Hamptons International Film Festival in New York, where Demi gratefully accepted an Acting Award yesterday, Sunday, October 13, Moore shared insights into the 68 year old's condition.

It was two years prior when the celebrated Die Hard actor had to withdraw from the spotlight after his aphasia diagnosis, which hampers one’s ability to communicate. The situation took a grimmer turn when he was later diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

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In a heartfelt conversation on Sunday, Demi remarked that Willis is presently 'stable', albeit conceding that the 'disease is what the disease is'. She expressed her approach, advocating for adaptation rather than clinging to the past: "What I always encourage is to just meet them where they're at," People a states Moore as saying.

"When you're holding on to what was, I think it's a losing game. But when you show up to meet them where they're at, there is great beauty and sweetness."

Despite their split in 1998 following over a decade of marriage, Demi and Bruce have maintained a strong friendship and parent their three grown daughters together.

In 2009, Bruce married actress Emma Heming Willis, with whom he has another two daughters. Tallulah, one of his daughters, also confirmed to the media outlet that his condition remains unchanged, and she remains adaptable, ready for whatever interaction may come.

Tallulah previously told People: "I'll go visit my dad and spend some time with him. But whatever kind of day it is, my family and I meet him where he's at."

Frontotemporal dementia, as described by the NHS, primarily affects behaviour and language. It is usually diagnosed in people between 45 and 65, but can occur at any age.

Currently, there is no cure or way to slow its progression. Dr Nicholas Milano, a neurologist at MUSC Health Memory Disorders Clinic, explained: "While everyone is different, the average life expectancy of a patient diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia is nine years from the first symptom but five years from the first diagnosis. Because usually there's a delay in diagnosis."

"... Because it's less common than Alzheimer's disease, there probably hasn't been as much research, and there haven't been any treatments that have been shown to be beneficial."

Bruce's condition has especially impaired his use of language, but Tallulah shared her gratitude last year that his physical mobility hadn't been affected.

In a Vogue piece, she said: "I keep flipping between the present and the past when I talk about Bruce: he is, he was, he is, he was."

"That's because I have hopes for my father that I'm so reluctant to let go of. I've always recognised elements of his personality in me, and I just know that we'd be such good friends if only there were more time."