Each time we turn on the television or pick up a magazine, there’s more new information on health, longevity and a range of other issues facing older adults. Keeping up with all the information is a challenge. To help, government agencies, health organizations and nonprofit associations are continually publishing free booklets offering the latest findings on everything from Medicare and Social Security to care giving and prescription drugs.

Last fall, the American Association of Retired People’s Andrus Foundation had a series of public forums titled “Staying Sharp: Current Advances in Brain Research.” This month, the foundation released a series of booklets based on those forums. Written by scientists and physicians working in the field of aging and the brain, the booklets cover symptoms and causes of brain disorders, treatment recommendations and a list of resources and organizations that can provide additional information. To order the series in English (D17561) or Spanish (D17461), write to AARP Fulfillment, 601 East St., NW, Washington, DC 20049.

	Mailing information for the brochures below can be found in the text of this story:”Staying Sharp: Current Advances in Brain Research””Steps to Success: Decisions about Help at Home for Alzheimer’s Caregivers””Having the Conversation about Long-Term Care””Play It Safe”

At least 5 million American families are taking care of a relative who has Alzheimer’s disease. While care giving can be challenging, making the decision to bring a professional caregiver into the home and finding the right person for the job is also difficult.

In fact, says John Feather, director of the Andrus Foundation, most in-home workers hired the first time don’t work out for families of Alzheimer’s patients. The foundation has produced “Steps to Success: Decisions about Help at Home for Alzheimer’s Caregivers,” an easy-to-read guide for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The booklet provides families with advice about hiring the right person and resources on when and how to begin looking for outside help. To receive a copy, call 800-424-3410 and request publication D17623.

If your family is facing difficult decisions regarding long-term care, a new publication from the American Health Care Assn. and the National Center for Assisted Living can help. “Having the Conversation about Long-Term Care” lays out when and whom to include in the decision-making process as well as when and how to broach the subject. To receive a copy, call 800-628-8140 or write AHCA, 1201 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20005.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, “identity theft,” the unauthorized use of names, credit card and Social Security numbers, birth dates and other personal information is a $40 billion-a-year crime and more than half of all victims are older adults. To educate seniors on the problem, Connecticut Community Care Inc. developed “Play It Safe,” a free guide to bill-paying, banking and securing personal information, as well as tips on telephone and at-home safety and mail security.