subject: What is a Certified Senior Advisor? [print this page] If you are in the business of working with seniors, it is not enough to have a "desire to help" or a "willingness" to make their lives easier, safer, better, etc. While that's certainly admirable, it's not enough. One needs to have a keen understanding-a real knowledge-of what their situation is and what their unique concerns are. To work with seniors you need to have the skills and the ability to help them navigate problems and be able to offer solutions. One unique way to achieve this is to become certified as a senior advisor. A Certified Senior Advisor is a professional who has invested the time and effort to learn about the things that are important in a senior's life. There are currently about 14,000 professionals who have become CSA's by supplementing their current expertise with knowledge about aging and working with seniors. The education that the Society of Certified Senior Advisors delivers is unique. It is the only program that teaches an integrative approach to the health, finances and social aspects of aging, with its focus on people, not products. A wide variety of professionals- financial advisors, home care administrators, attorneys, accountants, social workers, and nurses to name a few-enhance their education of seniors by becoming CSA's.
Because they have learned about 23 subjects of vital interest to seniors, CSA's
communicate better with seniors
have a greater understanding of seniors and their circumstances
possess more self confidence that they can help seniors overcome problems
earn more credibility
What sort of things do CSA's know?
What seniors should know about Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security
The stages of grief and how to respond to someone who is grieving
What advance directives do-and don't do
Seniors biggest fears and how to help seniors address them
Key questions seniors should ask before buying long term care insurance
Signs of normal cognitive changes versus dementia
Special nutritional needs of seniors
The factors more important than genetics for living longer
and many, many more topics crucial to seniors well being!
Yes, we have all heard that Americans are aging. The question for today's business that deals with seniors is whether we are prepared. Are we doing everything we can to meet their demands in the marketplace? Any business that is not prepared is treading in dangerous waters. By 2030, baby boomers age 66 to 84 alone will make up 20% of the total population. The caveat? These 20 percent will have disproportionately high spending power. Simply put they will have the power to change the way America does business.
And as a senior, or someone who has a senior in their life, your task will be to search out and discern which businesses are taking the steps to truly put themselves in a position to help seniors. It isn't enough anymore to "talk the talk", a business should "walk the walk". There are many ways organizations can tangibly show their commitment to understand and help seniors and their families. Ongoing education and training of employees as well as management, customer service and ethical business practices are all things that will distinguish those that are truly committed to serving seniors.
