By Sharon Wisch-Ray

Hedy Collins earns CSA designation

Hedy Collins, director of the Jewish Family Services Senior Program is now a Certified Senior Advisor. As a CSA, Hedy is better equipped to help the older adults in our community with their specific needs.
Hedy completed a rigorous training program. She learned more about the physiological changes in older adults, the emotional struggles one experiences during this time of life, specific housing and community resources available to older adults and financial choices and challenges facing older adults. Emphasis was also placed on the ethical responsibilities a Certified Senior Advisor has when working with older adults and their families.
Specific topics included

• Physiological and cognitive changes of aging

• Mental health, grief and loss in later life

• Assessing the need for, and finding, appropriate caregivers

• Medicare and Medicaid

• Social Security

• Financial choices and challenges facing older adults

• Ethical guidelines when working with older adults

After completing the training program Hedy was required to pass two exams. The first exam was on the main course curriculum and the second was concerning Ethics. While Hedy passed with flying colors, she did indicate that she may have studied harder for these exams than she ever did in college. She also said that getting new business cards with new credentials was an added incentive to study hard.
Now that Hedy has her certification she is a member of the Society for Certified Senior Advisors. As part of the society, Hedy will be required to obtain continuing education credits each year. This will enable her to keep her knowledge and skills current.
Hedy will also have access to a network of professionals and educational opportunities which will further enhance her ability to meet the needs of the older adults in our community.
Supporting the decision to have Hedy qualify for the Certified Senior Advisor designation is just one of the many changes happening under the leadership of Federation Executive Director Bob Goldberg. Bob understands the importance of professional development. He realizes that when professionals are able to participate in advanced training and/or attend conferences, both the professional and community benefit. Bob fully supported the Jewish Family Services committee’s desire to send Hedy for this wonderful training opportunity and certification.