Emma Heming Willis, the wife of actor Bruce Willis, issued a statement asking the paparazzi to “keep their distance” as they follow the 67-year-old actor, who was recently diagnosed with dementia, Variety reports, taken from News.ro.

Bruce Willis and his wife Emma Heming in Los AngelesPhoto: The Image Direct / Profimedia Images

Hemingway Willis posted a video on Instagram about a recent incident in which photographers tried to talk to her husband during his rare public appearance meeting friends for coffee in Santa Monica.

“If you care for someone with dementia, you know how difficult and stressful it can be to get someone out into the world and take them safely, even just for a cup of coffee,” she said.

“It is clear that a lot more education is needed. So this is for the photographers and videographers trying to get these exclusives from my husband. Keep your distance,” continued Emma Heming Willis.

“I know it’s your job, but it can only be if you stay where you are. Please don’t yell at my husband asking how he is doing. Don’t do this. Give him space. Let our family or whoever was with him that day get him safely from A to B,” she added.

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A post shared by Emma Heming Willis (@emmahemingwillis)

Her statement came weeks after the family announced Willis’ condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia, which is often diagnosed at a younger age than other forms of dementia. Symptoms may include personality changes, speech problems, and movement disorders.

Bruce and Emma have been married since 2009.