Emma Heming encourages care partners to look after themselves as she opens up about caring for Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis have been together since 2009 and the couple has been through numerous ups and downs like any other people in relationships. But things took a turn when the "Die Hard" actor was diagnosed with a form of a degenerative brain disorder known as frontotemporal dementia. Emma has remained by his side, showering her 68-year-old husband with love, comfort and care as his condition continues to worsen. However, proving care for a person with dementia is easier said than done and Emma has opened up about it lately.

The 45-year-old model and entrepreneur shared an Instagram video with her followers recently, discussing the mental health toll that takes over people like her who are acting as a caretaker for their loved ones who are suffering from serious ailments. "I'm asking care partners to send me photos because I just think it's so important for us to sort of break up our thinking, which can feel, for me, very much like doom and gloom," she said in the video. "So, I know it looks like I'm out living my best life. I have to make a conscious effort every single day to live the best life that I can."

"I don't want it to be misconstrued that like, I'm good, 'cause I'm not. I'm not good," Emma continued. She tried to create awareness through the caption of her video as well. "This is a care partner public service announcement. My message is simple. When we are not looking after ourselves, we are no good to the people we love and who we want to show up for and take care of. I don’t have this down to a fine science either, but I try. It’s an affirmation I use daily so it’s kept in the forefront of my mind. Your pictures, words of support and love for me and my family were felt. Honestly, thank you, it helps," the caption of her Instagram video read. 

Emma urged people who are going through similar situations like her to "keep looking for that one beautiful thing or moment in their day." She joked at the end and hoped that anyone watching her video can take her seriously while she is wearing her "dopey hat." Emma has been candid about facing the realities of caretaking for her husband in a previous Instagram post as well. "I have started the morning by crying, as you can see by my swollen eyes and snotty nose. I just think it’s important that you see all sides of this. I always get this message where people always tell me, 'Oh you’re so strong. I don’t know how you do it.’ I’m not given a choice. I wish I was, but I’m also raising two kids in this," Emma shared in the video.

"Today is one of those days of feeling grief and sadness. But the silver lining or the flip side is that I’m so lucky to feel your warmth and love that is directed to my husband and our family," she further added in the caption. "Sometimes in our lives, we have to put our big girl panties on and get to it, and that’s what I’m doing. But I do have times of sadness every day, grief every day, and I’m really feeling it today on his birthday," she added towards the end.  The couple are parents to daughters Mabel, 10, and Evelyn, 8. Emma is also a stepmother to Willis' three daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore – Rumer, 34, Scout, 31 and Tallulah, 29, per USA Today.