Dear PSA Director,
Golden Globe and Emmy award winning actor Kelsey Grammer, star of the critically acclaimed STARZ Original series “Boss,” recently completed a public service announcement for the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Grammer portrays fictional Chicago Mayor Tom Kane, who last season was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (LBD), the second most common form of progressive dementia.
More than 1.3 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease, which 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. Early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment can significantly improve quality of life for people with LBD.
October is Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month. To learn more about LBD or find support, visit the Lewy Body Dementia Association at www.lbda.org. To raise awareness about this important condition and help those in your listening area, please place these PSAs in heavy rotation between now and October 31, 2012.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Patrick
Lewy Body Dementia Association
:30 PSA SCRIPT
Hi, I’m Kelsey Grammer. My character on the show Boss was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disease that affects his thinking, movement and behavior. More than one point three million Americans have Lewy body dementia, but it’s highly under-diagnosed. To learn more about LBD or to find support, please visit the Lewy Body Dementia Association at w-w-w-dot-L-B-D-A-dot-org.
:30 PSA SCRIPT
Family Member: “So what did the doctor say about Dad?
Caregiver: “The doctor said it’s Lewy body dementia or LBD, which affects thinking, movement, behavior and even sleep.
Family member: “I’ve never even heard of it.”
Caregiver: “Neither had I. But the doctor said it’s a common, but highly under diagnosed, form of dementia and affects about one point three million Americans. He told me about the Lewy Body Dementia Association, where I learned more about LBD and found a whole community of support.”
To learn more about LBD, please visit the Lewy Body Dementia Association L-B-D-A-dot-org.