Golden Globe® and Emmy® award winning actor Kelsey Grammer, star of the critically acclaimed STARZ Original series “Boss,” presents a public service announcement (PSA) to raise awareness about a degenerative brain disorder affecting 1.3 million Americans. See the PSA below.
Grammer portrays fictional Chicago Mayor Tom Kane, who last season was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (LBD) affecting more than 1.3 million Americans.
LBD affects almost everything about a person, including thinking, movement, and behavior. The disease also affects sleep and automated systems such as blood pressure and digestion; people with LBD can have severe medication sensitivities, especially certain tranquillizers.
Early diagnosis is critical and often involves a specialist, because some LBD symptoms resemble Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. People with LBD experience changes in memory or thinking that disrupt normal activities, plus varying combinations of other symptoms, such as slowness of movement, hallucinations, or disturbed sleep, such as physically acting out their dreams.
This October is Lewy body dementia awareness month. The Caregiver’s Voice is working with the Lewy Body Dementia Association to recognize an LBD Caregiver of the Month.
NOMINATE TCV’s LBD Caregiver of the Month of October (click on link).
Caregiver nominees this month must care for at least one person
with Lewy body dementia.Self-nominations are welcome. Open to family and professional caregivers.
DUE 10 September, 2012.
Brenda Avadian, MA
Founder, TheCaregiversVoice.com
Dementia Caregiver, Expert Spokesperson, Coach, and Author
The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the Lewy body dementias (LBD), supporting patients, their families and caregivers, and promoting scientific advances. Through outreach, education and research, LBDA supports those affected by Lewy body dementias.
The Caregiver’s Voice brings hope and strength to caregivers for adults with cognitive impairment through knowledge, support, resources, and humor.
Wow, this is intense part for him…with I got the channel. Similar to William Shatner playing Denny Crane, who had either Mad Cow Disease or dementia…and Alan Shore, his lawyer buddy, deciding to marry Crane so he could legally look after him and care for him as a spouse.
Wonder if Norm Mac’s continuing on with LBD and his wonderful activist work in spite of limitations, had any influence on the show.
There is some talk out there among dementia caregivers to stop trying to categorize and label specific dementias (Lewy Bodies, Alzheimer’s, Vascular, Frontal Temporal) as there is still a person inside regardless. However, the dramatic night terrors, as Norm often describes on his FB page, and the personality and moral compass changes (person will swear, shoplift, etc) that accompany some dementia conditions are worth knowing WHY and knowing what to expect.
Also, to keep eye on meds, as some mental and behavior problems worsen, with the very drugs that were meant to control them. As I keep hammering in, there are two protocols to guide you and doctor for safe trial removal of Rx’s and certain OTC drugs: STOPP Start and Beers Criteria, which has just had its first revision in nine years. Search for Beers Criteria 2012. Please try to eliminate Rx related causes of dementia. My mother had taken a half dozen drugs that were damaging emotionally and memory-wise. I got her off them one by one, before i knew of Beers, but would have done it first thing had I been aware how REALLY damaging they can be.
I have no experience with LBD except from the posts I read from Norms. Bless him. you can find him on FB under Norm Mac or his page Dementia Aware (mostly folks from the UK, but very valuable to compare notes).
Carol, thanks for commenting.
You raise issues to consider.
I will send the link to your comment to “Norrms” so that he may comment if he wishes.
Brenda Avadian