With the majority of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease going undiagnosed in Ireland, raising awareness regarding the warning signs of the debilitating disease has long been one of the challenges facing doctors and carers in the Republic.
A new dedicated Alzheimer's disease resource being launched by Irishhealth.com is offering an interactive tool that hopes to change that for good.
The Alzheimer Clinic, a resource of comprehensive, interactive advice and information, is free and, in a first for online health resources in Ireland, includes a free-to-view video questions and answers section where sufferers and carers can get advice directly from top specialists.
"You have a doctor on the screen almost talking directly to you," says John Gibbons of Dún Laoghaire-based MedMedia Group, publishers of Irishhealth.com.
The online health site chose Prof Brian Lawlor, a leader in the field of old age psychiatry, from St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin, to answer 13 common questions families, carers and sufferers may face in confronting Alzheimer's.
Information regarding Alzheimer's is in demand in Ireland as the population ages - a problem expected to increase significantly in the coming years. The Alzheimer Clinic concept is due largely to requests by Irishhealth.com members for such a resource.
Developed in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, it is free due to the assistance of an unrestricted educational grant from the pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Healthcare Ireland.
In addition to the video Q&A section, the Alzheimer Clinic also offers a platform for discussion by users, a memory checklist test as well as the latest information about treatments and support services for carers.
Alzheimer's is a degenerative neurological disorder that often leads to a loss of memory and the eventual inability to complete everyday tasks.
The disease affects more than 13 million people worldwide and there is no cure. However, there are several ways to treat the disease at its onset that may help lessen the effects of its advanced stages.
It is crucial that early warning signs of the disease are recognised and medical expertise sought for those at risk and to help plan for eventual cognitive disabilities that can accompany the disease.
However, those who may be experiencing symptoms are often reticent about discussing problems with a doctor and many live far from specialists with the latest training and information.
During the coming months, Irishhealth.com will add more video inserts from top specialists to create a virtual library of health resources.
"The general public in Ireland, in terms of health, isn't well catered for and that's a gap we're trying to fill," Gibbons says. "This is a terrific way of delivering resources."
To find the Alzheimer's Clinic on the web, visit www.irishhealth.com/alzheimer