An estimated four million people are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. That number is expected to more than triple by the year 2050.

A cure for the fatal, degenerative memory disorder has eluded researchers to date, despite millions of dollars spent on research.

Less attention has been spent on the health needs of family members who care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s at home. But that’s changing. The Muskie School of Public Service, under contract with Elder Independence of Maine, is studying stress for Alzheimer’s caregivers.

Field workers are interviewing home-based caregivers at three, six and nine months to see how they are coping with the responsibilities as the disease worsens, and demands of care increase.

“There’s a lot of anecdotal information out there, but we want to document it in order to convince people and potential future funders that it’s a real problem,” said Romaine Turyn, the Muskie School’s director of the Maine Alzheimer’s Project.

The objectives of the Caregiver Companion Program are to reduce caregiver stress and help maintain their health and welfare, Turyn said. Although there are support groups and information available through the Maine Alzheimer’s Association, many caregivers end up feeling depressed and overwhelmed by the challenge of maintaining what has become known as “the 36-hour day.”

“We want to develop insights into the nature of services most useful to caregivers,” Turyn said. “We’d like to share it with policymakers in the state and with the public.”

The demonstration grant is being funded as part of a $450,000 federal grant given to the Department of Human Services’ Bureau of Elder and Adult Services.