What is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)? A Certified Senior Advisor is a professional who has received specialized training in aging and the important issues that affect seniors. CSA candidates must pass a challenging, national exam to demonstrate their comprehension of what is taught in the CSA curriculum. Typically, CSAs already have expertise in a professional discipline, and while many are licensed in a specific profession, it is only after they pass the exam, meet all the requirements and agree to live up to high ethical and professional standards that they may use the designation Certified Senior Advisor. What is the Society of Certified Senior Advisors? Society of Certified Senior Advisors (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 there was a need for standardized education for professionals who work with seniors. SCSA requires its members to take continuing education emphasizing ethics and volunteer service to seniors. CSA Education Certified Senior Advisors go through rigorous training on the following  topics: Principles of Aging Social Aspects of aging Trends in Aging Social Security and Taxes Financial And Estate Planning Care giving and Caregivers Health, Nutrition and Fitness Alzheimer's and Dementia Senior Chronic Illnesses Medicare and Choice Medicaid Planning Ethical Marketing to Seniors Business Ethics with Seniors Senior Housing and Assisted Living Long Term Care Grief and Loss Advance Directives Senior Spirituality Funeral Planning Candidates who successfully complete all program requirements and pass the CSA Designation Exam become Certified Senior Advisors and members of Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA).  All  CSAs are required to be members. This is the best way SCSA can ensure that CSAs uphold the standards of the CSA Code of Professional Responsibility (monitored and enforced by the CSA Board of Standards), fulfill requirements for continuing ethics education and community service, and continue to learn about important issues facing seniors. CSA Code of Professional Responsibility To become and remain a CSA in good standing, a CSA must sign the CSA Code of Professional Responsibility pledging to adhere to the following principles and standards: • Competence. CSAs are obliged to keep their professional training, skills and knowledge current and comprehensive to provide professional services to clients competently. • Honesty. CSAs shall not lie, cheat or steal and must accurately communicate to clients their professional licenses, credentials and other business qualifications and must be clear in their communication • Trustworthiness. CSAs must act in a trustworthy manner by promptly and courteously addressing client questions and concerns and perform their services in the client's best interests. • Fairness. CSAs shall conduct their professional activities fairly and impartially and must disclose all potential or perceived conflicts of interest that may arise. CSAs must safeguard client, potential client and business associate information. • Professionalism. CSAs must serve with the highest degree of professionalism, use due diligence and act in good faith in all matters, upholding both the standards of the CSA designation and other licenses or credentials they hold. Why You Should Work With a Certified Senior Advisor When you work with a professional who has added the CSA designation to his or her achievements, you know you're working with someone who has invested time and effort in learning about the things that are important to you . CSAs become CSAs because they want to learn more about the health, financial and social aspects of being 55 or older. They have made specific efforts to earn your trust. And they have committed to ongoing CSA Continuing Education standards that encourage volunteering for activities that help seniors…and that require regular training in dealing with the specialized ethical challenges in working with seniors. Insist on working with a Certified Senior Advisor – work with someone who wants to work with you.