Emma Heming Willis Headlines Pinecrest Book Talk on Caregiving Journey

PINECREST, FL - Emma Heming Willis, author and caregiver advocate, shared insights from her new memoir, The Unexpected Journey, at Books & Books in Pinecrest this evening.

Key Takeaway Heming Willis, whose husband Bruce Willis is living with frontotemporal dementia, detailed strategies for caregivers in an in-conversation event with Gabrielle Anwar.

Nut Graf

The former model-turned-advocate emphasized the importance of planning and professional support for families navigating neurodegenerative illness, drawing on her personal experience caring for her husband since his 2023 diagnosis.

Event Highlights

  • Venue & Date: Books & Books bookstore, Pinecrest, FL; September 10, 2025.
  • Moderator: Actress Gabrielle Anwar guided the discussion on Heming Willis’s transition from spouse to full-time caregiver.
  • Core Message: Caregiving demands early preparation, candid family discussions and willingness to seek outside expertise to safeguard both patient and loved ones.

In-Depth Discussion

Heming Willis opened by recounting the moment her husband’s neurologist warned that caregivers can suffer greater health risks than patients. She described how that “wake-up call” drove her to hire professional caregivers and create separate living arrangements to shield their daughters from the illness’s day-to-day challenges.

The author outlined practical tips from her book:

  • Establish clear roles and respite schedules for family and professional helpers.
  • Communicate age-appropriate explanations to children facing a parent’s cognitive decline.
  • Prioritize self-care to sustain the emotional resilience needed for long-term caregiving.

Audience Response

Attendees praised Heming Willis’s candid approach. One guest remarked, “Her advice fills a gap most families never anticipate until crisis strikes.” Books & Books reported a sold-out crowd for the 7 p.m. session.

What’s Next

Heming Willis continues her national tour through mid-September, with upcoming appearances at the Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre in Los Angeles on September 15 and additional events in New York and New Jersey.

Her memoir, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, is now available at retailers nationwide.