Rumer Willis is taking a proactive step in her own health journey - one shaped directly by watching her father, Bruce Willis, navigate his battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
The actress, 38, recently underwent genetic testing to determine her risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, partnering with Function, a health membership offering advanced lab testing and screenings. She specifically sought out the APOE genetic test, a marker linked to Alzheimer's risk, given her father's 2023 diagnosis.
"It's terrifying to get answers sometimes," Rumer told PEOPLE. "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. But I think when you have information, it's power."
Her results came back showing average risk. Alongside the test news, Rumer shared an emotional reflection on where her father is today. "I really miss my dad. I miss a different version of who he was," she wrote on Instagram. "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."
As a single mom to 3-year-old daughter Louetta, Rumer said the experience has reshaped how she thinks about her own health - and her family's future. It's a quiet picture of what faith in hard seasons can look like: not denial, but choosing presence, gratitude, and hope even while grieving a slow loss in real time.
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