Rumer Willis took a “terrifying” genetic test to see her risk for Alzheimer’s disease as she grapples with her dad Bruce Willis’ “hard” dementia battle.
The actress partnered with Function, a health membership that offers more than 160 advanced lab tests, imaging and specialized assessments. She was drawn to the company’s APOE genetic test to determine her risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease because of her father’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
“I really miss my dad. I miss a different version of who he was. There are some days that are just so hard. I try to prioritize being present with where he’s at now. The truth is, to be strong is learning to deal with both things at the same time,” Rumer, 38, shared via Instagram on Monday.
“I did a test called the APOE, that tests for your risk of Alzheimer’s — which obviously is kind of important. I wanted to check it out because of my family history.”
The “Dancing With the Stars” winner revealed she has a “pretty average” score, meaning that “there is some risk, but it’s not crazy.”
The “House Bunny” star also opened up about her decision to undergo the lab testing in an interview with People.
“It’s terrifying to get answers sometimes,” she admitted to the outlet.
“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.”
Despite her fears around taking the test and getting her results, Rumer insisted that when “you have information, it’s power.”
“I think health is one of those things that we take for granted until we don’t have it,” she continued. “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.”
Bruce, 71, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, just months after he retired from acting amid a diagnosis of aphasia.
Since the heartbreaking diagnosis, Rumer and her sisters, Tallulah, 32, and Scout, 34 — who Bruce shares with ex-wife Demi Moore — have shared candid health updates about their dad.
Back in May, Rumer shared that her dad developed a “sweetness” amid his ongoing battle with the progressive neurological disease.
“I’m so grateful I get to go see him,” she said during an interview with “The Inside Edit” at the time. “Even though it’s different now, I’m so grateful. There’s a sweetness.”
“He’s always been this kind of macho dude and there’s like a — fragile is not the right word but — just a tenderness that maybe being Bruce Willis might not have allowed him in a certain way.”
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