Alzheimer's disease carers 'working 14 hours a day'

People caring for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease are devoting up to 14 hours a day to the task, research published today will reveal.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is to launch the new study into the disease and its impact on Irish sufferers and their families.

The research found that 63% of carers spend 14 hours or more a day caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

The research was carried out among carers and explores their loved one's experience of dementia and the availability of support.

The society will launch details of its research in the Royal College of Physicians where Alzheimer disease patient Brenda Hounam will speak about her personal experience of living with the condition.

"At 53 years of age Brenda was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease," a spokesperson for the charity said.

"She was an accountant, and noticed she couldn't add as well as she previously had been able to.

"At first she felt she was just over tired but then noticed she began to have trouble multi-tasking."

The organisers of today's event said Ms Hounam will detail how it took a year and a half for her condition to be diagnosed.

The Alzheimer charity says dementia affects approximately 38,000 people in Ireland, impacting directly on their carers and families.