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

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

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

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 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.Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PCOS, Endometriosis, fertility, and hormonal balance. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.Sponsors: Cymbiotika: Go to Cymbiotika.com/Shemd for 20% off plus free shippingRocket Money: Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/shemd today.Nutrafol: Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter promo code SHEMD. Vibrant Wellness: Ask your provider for the Hormone Zoomer by Vibrant Wellness — or find a Vibrant-certified provider today at vibrant-wellness.com/SheMDWhat You’ll LearnStrategies for women caregivers to maintain mental and physical healthUnderstanding frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and early warning signsHow to build a caregiving support system and engage blended familiesLifestyle approaches for women’s brain health, including sleep, nutrition, and mental stimulationTools to navigate ambiguous loss and adapt to changing relationshipsKey Timestamps00:00 Introduction with Mary Alice Haney and Emma Heming Willis03:50 Emma meets Bruce Willis and navigates their blended family dynamics14:50 Recognizing early signs of frontotemporal dementia and seeking diagnosis22:40 Coping with the lack of caregiving resources and support24:30 Prioritizing mental and physical health as a caregiver31:40 Building a caregiving support system with experts and family involvement35:20 Founding Make Time Wellness and creating actionable solutions for brain health38:45 The impact of caregiving on relationships and navigating ambiguous loss40:42 Closing thoughts on resilience, community support, and resources for caregiversKey TakeawaysFrontotemporal 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 BioEmma 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 loved one with dementia.Links & ResourcesEmma Heming Willis: Make Time WellnessEmma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmahemingwillisEmma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaHemingWillisBook: The Unexpected Journey by Emma Heming Willis5% of Make Time Wellness proceeds support Hilarity for CharitySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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