COVER STORY : Where to Call for Help, Referrals With Caregiving : GENERAL INFORMATION

* The San Diego Alzheimer’s Assn. is the central resource throughout North County for information, referrals and services relating to Alzheimer’s disease. North County Helpline: 746-1265.

* North County Seniors in Action, a nonprofit information and referral service for low-income seniors, provides home aid, respite care, transportation, taxi-voucher service and case management on an assessment basis. 941-3213.

* San Diego Area Agency on Aging--along with planning, advocating and funding senior programs--offers transportation, shared housing and meal services. 1-800-339-4661 or the Senior Hotline, 560-2500.

* North County Centro Community Services helps Spanish-speaking seniors locate appropriate resources. 746-3920.

* Senior Center, Encinitas, offers social, counseling and nutritional services. 753-1735.

* Southern Caregiver Resource Center serves families and caregivers of brain-impaired adults via referral, education, counseling and other support services. From North County, 1-800-827-1008.

* Senior Adult Services Inc., the umbrella organization for Meals on Wheels, offers care management, financial counseling and other services. 297-3260.

* Department of Social Security, benefits information. 1-800-772-1213.

ALZHEIMER’S HEALTH SERVICES

* San Diego Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnostic & Treatment Center at UC San Diego offers a comprehensive assessment program, plus resources and referrals. 294-3777.

* Senior Only Comprehensive Assessment and Retirement Evaluation (SOCARE) provides caregiver training courses, referrals and other resources in conjunction with a geriatric assessment program for older individuals with multiple medical problems, including dementia. 294-3777.

* San Diego Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center conducts clinical drug studies for a limited number of people already found to have the disease, and offers anyone with the disease an opportunity to participate in research programs. 543-5306.

* Alzheimer’s Unit/Mission Bay Memorial Hospital is an acute medical-surgical unit designed specifically for Alzheimer’s patients. 274-7721.

* Caregiver Stress Study at UC San Diego accepts volunteer spousal caregivers who care for Alzheimer’s mates at home. 534-3354.

ADULT SOCIAL DAY CARE

* Escondido Alzheimer’s Family Center operates 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers activities, entertainment, beverages and snacks to people with Alzheimer’s or other mental impairments. Participants must bring their own sack lunches. ($40 per day). 480-2282.

* The Sam and Rose Stein Adult Day Center/North Coast Alzheimer’s Center in Encinitas provides adult social day care seven days a week. Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks are included ($40 per day). Hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 755-1717.

* Redwood ElderLink Adult Day Care Center accepts early-stage Alzheimer’s participants, plus those with memory and physical impairments, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ($35) or half a day ($24); includes lunch. 480-1030.

ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE

* The Oceanside Alzheimer’s Center and Adult Day Health Care operates five days a week from 7:30 to 5:30 and accepts Alzheimer’s patients for social day care ($40 per day) as well as a variety of physically/mentally impaired seniors requiring rehabilitation ($46 per day). Lunch, snacks included. 433-9942.

* The North County Adult Day Health Care Center in Vista accepts early and middle-stage Alzheimer’s participants, and physically-mentally impaired seniors requiring rehabilitation. $40-$46 per day, including lunch, snacks and transportation within 10-mile radius. 758-2210.