Bruce Willis’ wife moved to tears after 9-year-old daughter makes incredibly 'compassionate' gesture

Editor's note: This article was originally published on May 24, 2023. It has since been updated.

Bruce Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, shared how their 9-year-old daughter is helping to care for her father, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. The NHS describes the condition as an uncommon type of dementia that causes problems with behavior and language and gradually affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

On May 22, 2023, Heming Willis posted an Instagram video explaining how their daughter Evelyn is doing her part for the "The Sixth Sense" star. "I have to tell you this story, and I'm going to try and do it without crying because when Evelyn told me this story, I was an absolute puddle," Heming Willis says in the clip, reports TODAY.

Heming Willis said that Evelyn informed her the other day that people with dementia can become extremely dehydrated, causing her mom to ask how she learned that. "She says, ‘Well, I was at school the other day, and I had some free time and I was looking at fun facts about dementia,'" the proud mom recounted. "Now that’s not funny, but it’s kind of funny. And she is her father’s child because these two love some just random facts. So, I said to her, 'OK, Evelyn, we will always make sure that Daddy has a bottle of water in hand. Thank you for letting me know.' I said, 'That is the most loving and compassionate thing that you can do is to be curious and educate yourself on your dad’s disease.'"

Heming Willis, who also shares daughter Mabel, 11, with Willis, was overcome with emotion in the video. She captioned the post with a quote by Adria Thompson, Speech Language Pathologist and Certified Dementia Practitioner. "On behalf of the person you’re caring for that has dementia, whether they can express it or not—I want to say thank you. Thank you for loving them, and thank you for spending time to educate yourself about dementia. Because that is the most compassionate thing you can do by having more insight into their world and the life they are experiencing that they can’t always express," the quote reads.

The Alzheimer’s Society reports that dementia patients can experience problems with drinking and that proper hydration is essential. "Someone with dementia may become dehydrated if they’re unable to communicate or recognize that they’re thirsty, or if they forget to drink. This can lead to headaches, increased confusion, urinary tract infections and constipation. These can make the symptoms of dementia worse," the website states.

The organization says patients should drink between one and a half to two liters daily. A drink should be present whenever the person eats in a clear or brightly colored glass to grab attention. The glass should also be light enough to hold and handle. The website also recommends offering dementia patients drink tea, hot drinks, fruit juice or smoothies, ice lollies, milk jellies and yogurt.

Heming Willis wasn’t the only one moved to tears by Evelyn’s sweet gesture. Willis’ daughter Scout, who he shares with ex-wife, Demi Moore, chimed in with her emotional reaction. "Omg, Evelyn! That story made me a puddle of tenderness," she commented. Many others shared how touched they were to see Evelyn learn about her dad's condition to care for him.

"That's so touching, thank you for sharing. Daughters are precious," said @tonygrahamwhite. "What a sweet girl! So young and yet mature and thoughtful enough to be researching her Dad’s condition. I can understand why you were a puddle when she told you!" said @hcleary123. "An extremely smart young lady, it makes my heart full she is educating herself," added @pommelakegirl.