LBDA launches nationwide October awareness movement

Today the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) launched its nationwide October awareness movement, "A Month To Remember." LBDA invites volunteers to join the movement by "Standing Strong with LBDA" to build awareness for Lewy body dementia in their communities. The LBD Awareness Movement is a national, grass roots effort to increase LBD awareness in the general public and medical profession.

Participants in the movement can get involved with LBDA in several ways to make Lewy body dementia (LBD) become a household word, from distributing materials in their community and to local physicians' offices, to organizing outreach or community fundraising events.

Lewy body dementia (LBD) affects an estimated 1.3 million individuals and their families in the United States. It is currently widely underdiagnosed because LBD symptoms can closely resemble other more commonly known diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Many doctors or other medical professionals still are not familiar with LBD. Early diagnosis allows for important early treatment that may extend quality of life.

"Given the growing population of older Americans, at some point in your life LBD will likely affect someone you know," said Angela Herron, President of LBDA's Board of Directors. "The general public, and far too many primary care doctors and nurses, have never heard of LBD. In addition to trying to manage a very difficult disease, LBD families find themselves in the unanticipated role of educator and advocate."