The Unexpected Journey

This book is a game changer for caregivers of loved oneswith dementia. This book will help millions of families, like hers, like yours,like mine, like everyones. Its a book for our time. Maria Shriver

From Emma Heming Willis, wife of Bruce Willis, a deeplypersonal and richly compassionate supportive guide that helps caregivers carefor themselves while they navigate a loved one’s dementia.

The day Emma Heming Willis husband, Bruce Willis, wasdiagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), all they were given was apamphlet and told to check back in a few months. With no hope or direction,Emma walked out of that doctors appointment frozen with fear, confusion and asense that her world had just fallen apart.

In fact, it had. Bruce and Emma had their story written,their future mapped out. Yet all those dreams crumbled with that diagnosis, andEmma felt alone and more isolated than ever. How would she care for her husbandwhile parenting their young daughters?

At that devastating time, Emma just wanted someone who’dbeen through it to tell her, This feels terrible right now. Your life is inshambles. But its going to be okay. Here are some things to think about andput in place so you cannot just survive but thrive.

WithThe Unexpected Journey, Emma has writtenthe book she wishes shed been handed on the day of Bruces diagnosis: asupportive guide to navigating the complicated, heartbreaking, andtransformative experience that is caregiving for your loved one. Weaving herpersonal journey as a care partner with the latest research and insights fromthe worlds top dementia, caregiving, and integrative experts she offers theguidance and wisdom caregivers everywhere so desperately need to hear,including:

• A diagnosis isnt just a label, its a starting point. It helps you better understand your persons behavior and respond with more clarity and compassion.

• Taking care of yourself is not optional; it’s mandatory. It will make you a better care partner. Its not selfish, its self-preserving.

• You dont have a choice about being on the dementia caregiving journey. But you do have a choice in terms of how you approach it and reframe it.

• Caregivers are human so you arent always going to be patient and selfless. You have challenges and struggle with conflicting emotions and thats okay.

Ultimately,The Unexpected Journeyshowsyou how to care for yourself while doing one of the hardest, most heartbreakingjobs in the world. Because if you dont take care of yourself, you are notgoing to be able to look after anyone elseespecially your loved one withdementia.

For anyone caregiving for a loved one with any form ofdementia, and even for those caregiving for other conditions,TheUnexpected Journeyshows that you are not alone. As Emma writes, Iknow that no two caregiving journeys are the same, but we are connected by thesame unchosen thread. Its not an easy path for you, your loved one or yourfamily. But Im here to let you know that you are not alone, and, in time, youwill find your footing, and a way forward.”

About the Author

Emma Heming Willisis a mother, step-mother,wife, advocate, and co-founder of Make Time Wellness, a brand devoted towomens brain health. After her husband, Bruce Willis, was diagnosed withfrontotemporal dementia, she became a passionate voice for care partners andfamilies navigating neurodegenerative disease. Through her storytelling andadvocacy, Emma hopes to help others feel less alone on the caregiving journey.This is her first book.