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Professionals Help Older Adults Deal
with Finances, Nurtition, Chronic Disease, Grief
By
Bill Dean, The
Ledger
March 30, 2003
Like some others in retirement, Lakeland's Frances
Lovelace wasn't happy with the financial planning she was receiving a few
years ago. Then, she heard Lakeland certified public accountant Terri
Goleno speak at a seminar for seniors. Lovelace was impressed with
Goleno's knowledge, information and sincerity. And soon, she severed ties
with her financial advisers and turned to Goleno for all of her financial
needs.
"She just works with you so well and makes you
feel comfortable," says Lovelace, 84.
"If you don't understand anything, she'll repeat
it.
"And usually when I get out of the chair from her
desk, she'll say, `Well, I wrote this down for you, so you won't forget
it,' because older people tend to forget things."
What Lovelace didn't know about Goleno at the time was
that the Lakeland CPA was also a certified senior adviser -- a designation
for professionals who have been trained and tested on a variety of topics
and issues concerning seniors.
"We found that a lot of our clients were nearing
retirement or in retirement and there just wasn't enough information
available to us as a CPA and personal financial planner," says Goleno,
a partner in Cheatham & Goleno, a Lakeland financial services company.
"So I contacted the Society for Certified Senior
Advisors because they have really nice resources they will provide you, in
addition to the continuing education about issues for seniors."
Regardless of their occupation, professionals who
become CSAs study topics ranging from the principles and social aspects of
aging to caregiving, health and nutrition, grief and loss, spirituality
and more.
Financial information of interest to seniors, including
Social Security, tax and Medicaid planning, is included with business
ethics and improving communication skills with seniors.
The idea is that any professional -- doctor, lawyer,
financial planner, insurance agent -- can not only become more
knowledgable about issues that seniors face but also understand how to
work better with seniors.
"We teach people the health, financial and social
issues that seniors face, so that whatever their discipline is, they can
do a better job," says Ed Pittock, president and founder of the
Society of Certified Senior Advisors, based in Denver.
Formerly a marketer of products to seniors, Pittock
founded the Society of Certified Senior Advisors in 1996 so professionals
can increase their understanding, and better serve a senior's needs.
"We even put them through sensitivity
training," he says. "They actually experience bad eyesight, bad
hearing, so they know what the seniors are going through."
About 8,000 professionals have received the CSA
designation. Many attend weeklong training sessions offered in major
cities, as Goleno did.
Or they can study through a home correspondence course,
like Charles Strain, a Lakeland insurance agent did. Cost is $1,095 for
the classes, $995 for the correspondence course, Pittock says.
Both types of applicants must pass an exam and meet
other requirements, as well, says Strain, who has owned Charles Strain
Insurance Agency in Lakeland for 10 years -- and a senior at 73.
"I had to go to a nursing home, interview the
director and write a paper," Strain says. "It gives you a chance
to really see how the elderly are being taken care of.
"And if you find someone who's looking for a
nursing home, you have a first-hand knowledge of them. I went to three
while I was doing my course of study."
Lakeland senior Norman Lee, 85 and a neighbor of
Strain's, says the insurance agent is a valuable asset for seniors, who
feel comfortable talking to him about a variety of topics.
"He's always has a good rapport with other people
in the neighborhood too," Lee says. "I feel comfortable talking
to him about a lot of things."
Along with Goleno and Strain, seven other professionals
in Polk County have become CSAs, including Don Bennett Sr. and Darryl
Mummert, two Lakeland insurance agents with separate businesses.
"The test was one of the toughest tests I've had
to take," Mummert says. "I want to be working with some of the
caregivers and some of the hospices and things of that nature."
Bill Dean can be reached at bill.dean@theledger.com
or 863-802-7527
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