Rumer Willis, daughter of Bruce Willis, has undergone preventative testing for dementia following her father's diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia. The 37-year-old described the process as 'terrifying' but revealed her results were 'pretty average'.
Testing after father's diagnosis
Bruce Willis, 71, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023, a year after receiving an aphasia diagnosis and retiring from acting. Rumer is one of five daughters, including Mabel, 14, and Evelyn, 12, with wife Emma Heming Willis, and Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 32, with ex-wife Demi Moore.
Speaking about her father's condition, Rumer said: "I really miss my dad, I miss a different version of who he was. There are some days that are so hard. I try to prioritise being present with where he's at now."
Genetic testing and results
Rumer had the APOE genetic test through Function, a health membership offering over 160 advanced lab tests. She explained: "I did a test that tests for your risk of Alzheimer's, which obviously is kind of important. I wanted to check it out given my family history. My result is pretty average but it also means there is some risk but it's not crazy."
She added: "It's terrifying to get answers sometimes. Obviously there are genetic things in my family. Not just dementia, I've had some family members who have had breast cancer and family members who have had different things."
Proactive health approach
Rumer acknowledged taking her health for granted and decided being proactive is the best step. She said: "I think health is one of those things that we take for granted until we don't have it. And I think that if you are taking small steps right now to be proactive about it, you might not have to have such a steep fall off the cliff as you get older."
Emma Heming Willis previously discussed Bruce's specific diagnosis, noting: "The one that Bruce has affects language. But there's another variant that will affect behaviour and another one that could affect movement. That's a different part of the brain. So when people say, 'Oh, does he remember who you are?' Well, he does because he doesn't have Alzheimer's, he has FTD."
