Calls to a dementia helpline jumped by 20% last year, new figures have shown.

The national helpline, which is run by the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, is the only dementia helpline in the country. According to the latest figures, 2014 was its busiest year to date, with a 20% jump in calls and a doubling of calls from people with early-stage dementia.

There are currently 48,000 people living with dementia in Ireland, of which Alzheimer's is the most common type. Some 4,000 are under the age of 65 - these are considered early stage.

The helpline figures also revealed that two in three calls came from people who had concerns about a parent, while almost one in six calls were from people concerned about a spouse/partner.

The highest number of calls came from Dublin, followed by Cork, Kildare and Galway.

"It is clear from the complexity of calls and emails that people living with dementia and their carers need support throughout every stage of their journey. This condition affects not only the person who is diagnosed and their immediate loved ones, but all family members, relatives and friends, and in a wide range of ways," commented helpline manager, Samantha Taylor.

Currently in Ireland, almost two in three people with dementia live in their homes and most are cared for by family members. There are an estimated 50,000 dementia carers in this country.

Meanwhile, Ms Taylor pointed out that the number of people with dementia is expected to treble by 2041 - to 132,000 - so a national helpline ‘is a vital resource'.

"We would appeal to anyone who has concerns about dementia either for themselves or for a loved one to call today. Don't wait, just make that call," she said.

The helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm, and on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. It is manned by trained staff and volunteers. Call 1800 341 341.

For more information on Alzheimer's disease, see our Alzheimer's Clinic, which was developed in association with the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, here