Experts are saying the impact on people who care for Alzheimer's patients has become a major issue.

According to AARP, nearly a third of Nassau and Suffolk's 50 and over population are already taking care of an adult friend or relative. The organization says many of those people are spending 40 hours a week doing it, which is the equivalent of a fulltime job.

The AARP report lists recommendations, including everything from creating a program to more easily direct caregivers to the support services they need, to strengthening family leave policies and putting more money into assistance programs.

Volunteers are hand-delivering the reports to Senate and Assembly offices on Long Island, asking state lawmakers to take action.