What is a life stage?

A combination of physical and social attributes that define periods of a person’s life, such as adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, later maturity, and old age.

 

What does it mean to navigate life stage transitions?

Guide seniors through the different stages of health, social and financial well-being experienced in the aging process. This guidance includes providing appropriate assessments, information, resources, and referrals for the needs and services of seniors to maintain the best possible quality of life.

 

What are home and community-based services?

Services that allow people of all ages who have physical limitations to remain independent in the least restrictive possible setting and to remain connected within their community. These services include informal networks of family and friends, as well as professional providers such as physicians, nurses, and personal care assistants.

 

What type of family conflicts may be encountered?

  • Sharing caregiving responsibilities equitably
  • Caregiver burnout
  • Sibling disagreement related to the type and level of care arrangements for a parent
  • Parent resistant to changes in care or housing options for their well-being and safety
  • Elder family member feeling left out of decision making by adult children
  • Sibling resentment over inheritance matters

 

What is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)?

A CSA is a professional who has knowledge about aging and important health, social and financial issues that affect the majority of seniors. A CSA must meet all eligibility requirements set forth by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors before using the designation of Certified Senior Advisor. These requirements include:

  • Education about senior issues and/or experience working with seniors
  • Pass a criminal background check
  • Pass the CSA designation exam
  • Pass the CSA Code of Professional Responsibility exam

 

CSAs are required to fulfill continuing education requirements.

 

What is the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA)?

SCSA is the world’s largest membership organization educating and certifying professionals who serve seniors. SCSA was founded in 1997 with the input of doctors, attorneys, gerontologists, accountants, financial planners, and other experts who believed that there was a need for standardized education and a credential for professionals who work with seniors.