Bruce Willis' wife Emma defends herself as she opens up on star's health struggles with dementia

Emma Willis has opened up about her experience caring for her husband Bruce Willis as his dementia progresses.

The Die Hard star was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in February, following his aphasia diagnosis last year.

This kind of the condition can manifest at a young age than other types of dementia.

Since his initial diagnosis, Bruce's family have shared several updates on his health.

Instagram/@emmahewingwillis

Now, the 68-year-old's wife Emma has opened up about the difficulties she and her family face while caring for Bruce.

In a video posted to Instagram, she said: "I know it looks like I'm out living my best life - I have to make a conscious effort every single day to live the best life that I can.

"I do that for myself. I do that for our two children. And Bruce, who would not want me to live any other way.

"So I don't want it to be misconstrued, that like I'm good. 'Cos I'm not. [I'm] not good."

Emma continued: "I have to put my best foot forward for the sake of myself and of my family. Because again, when we are not looking after ourselves, we cannot look after anyone that we love.

"So it’s really important, and like I said, this is a conscious effort... I'm just doing the best that I can always."

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Frontotemporal dementia affects a part of the brain which is mainly associated with language, behaviour, and communication. It impacts roughly between 10 and 20 percent of dementia cases, and due to how it manifests, it is sometimes mistaken for a mental health disorder.

The condition can have an impact on someone's ability to understand things, as well as their behaviour.

In a statement following Bruce's diagnosis, his family said: "Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately.

"We know in our hearts that - if he could today - he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families."