CSA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CSA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is elder financial abuse most commonly defined as? → The illegal or improper use of an older adult's funds, property, or assets
2. According to the CSA body of knowledge, which factor MOST influences a senior's decision about where to live? → Proximity to adult children and family
3. Which of the following financial scams most commonly targets older adults? → Grandparent scams, where fraudsters impersonate a grandchild in distress
4. A CSA discovers that a colleague is recommending unsuitable annuities to seniors for high commissions. What should the CSA do? → Report the misconduct through appropriate channels such as the CSA ethics board
5. A client asks about free legal help with estate planning. Which network primarily provides this through federally funded programs? → Legal Services Corporation programs
6. Which of the following is an example of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)? → Managing medications and finances
7. Under the Older Americans Act (OAA), which organization coordinates and funds services for older adults at the local level? → Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
8. Which of the following is a hallmark symptom that distinguishes Parkinson's disease from essential tremor in older adults? → Resting tremor that improves with intentional movement
9. When discussing financial elder abuse, which of the following is an example of undue influence? → A caregiver pressuring a senior to change their will under threat of abandonment
10. Adult foster care homes are best characterized by which of the following? → Small, family-style residential settings with personalized care for a few seniors
11. A senior advisor notes that a caregiver adult daughter is showing signs of exhaustion, irritability, and social withdrawal. These are warning signs of: → Caregiver burnout
12. A senior advisor is working with a client who recently lost their spouse. Which factor is the STRONGEST predictor of resilient bereavement outcomes? → Having strong social support networks and prior coping experience
13. What is the primary cause of preventable hospitalizations among seniors related to medication management? → Polypharmacy and adverse drug interactions
14. The disengagement theory of aging, first proposed by Cumming and Henry, suggests that as people age: → they seek to maintain the same lifestyle and social roles they had in middle age.
15. Which psychological theory of aging suggests that successful aging involves maintaining activity levels and social roles? → Activity theory
16. Blockages caused by atherosclerosis in the blood arteries have a role in the emergence of heart conditions and other circulatory problems. → Yes
17. Which type of exercise is MOST important for reducing fall risk in older adults? → Balance and strength training
18. Which cognitive assessment tool, consisting of 30 questions, is most widely used by clinicians to screen for dementia? → Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
19. When conducting a home safety assessment for an older adult, which area should be evaluated FIRST given its highest injury risk? → Bathroom safety including grab bars and non-slip surfaces
20. Under federal law, hospice Medicare benefit requires a life expectancy of no more than: → 6 months
21. The ethical principle of informed consent requires that a professional ensures a senior client has done all of the following BEFORE making a decision, EXCEPT: → Consulted with their family members about the decision.
22. Which of the following is a key indicator that a family caregiver may be experiencing compassion fatigue? → Feelings of detachment, emotional numbness, and reduced empathy toward the care recipient
23. A 70-year-old client wants to delay Social Security benefits as long as possible. What is the maximum age at which delayed retirement credits stop accruing? → 70
24. Which federal law protects nursing home residents' rights, including the right to be informed and to participate in care planning? → Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA 1987)
25. Under the Older Americans Act, which entity serves as the local planning and coordination body for aging services within a specific geographic area? → Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
26. A senior client mentions they feel isolated since their spouse passed away. Which aspect of the CSA body of knowledge does this primarily address? → Social aspects of aging
27. Mandatory reporting laws for elder abuse typically require which professionals to report suspected abuse? → Healthcare providers, social workers, and law enforcement
28. A 68-year-old man has a $500,000 traditional IRA. His RMD for the year is $19,608. If he fails to take the RMD, what is the IRS penalty on the missed amount? → 25% excise tax
29. A senior's daughter asks you to share her mother's financial information without the mother's consent. The correct response is: → Decline and explain the confidentiality obligation to the client
30. Under the SECURE 2.0 Act (2022), at what age must participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans begin taking Required Minimum Distributions? → 73