CSA Resource and Referral Networks 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A senior client receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and needs food assistance. The most direct referral for ongoing food support is:
- Meals on Wheels exclusively
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) (Correct answer)
- Food bank one-time emergency box
- WIC program
Correct answer: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
SNAP (formerly food stamps) provides ongoing monthly food assistance to eligible low-income individuals including seniors who meet income and asset requirements.
Question 2: When a senior advisor suspects a client is being financially exploited by a family member, which professional collaboration is most essential alongside APS?
- The client's accountant for tax review
- Local law enforcement and potentially Adult Protective Services simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Only the client's attorney
- The client's primary care physician
Correct answer: Local law enforcement and potentially Adult Protective Services simultaneously
Financial exploitation is both a civil and criminal matter, so coordinating both APS (protective services) and law enforcement simultaneously ensures comprehensive intervention.
Question 3: The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program trains volunteers to help seniors with which specific issue?
- Filing Medicare Advantage plan appeals
- Detecting and preventing Medicare and Medicaid fraud, errors, and abuse (Correct answer)
- Enrolling in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
- Appealing Social Security disability denials
Correct answer: Detecting and preventing Medicare and Medicaid fraud, errors, and abuse
SMP empowers Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to prevent, detect, and report fraud, errors, and abuse through education and counseling by trained volunteers.
Question 4: A rural senior has no transportation for medical appointments. Which federally supported program type should a senior advisor explore first?
- Amtrak senior discount program
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) through Medicaid or AAA (Correct answer)
- Greyhound accessibility services
- Volunteer driver program through the local fire department
Correct answer: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) through Medicaid or AAA
Medicaid's NEMT benefit covers transportation to medical appointments for eligible beneficiaries, and many AAAs also operate or coordinate volunteer driver programs for seniors.
Question 5: Which organization accredits geriatric care managers (Aging Life Care Professionals) and can help clients find vetted private-pay care coordinators?
- National Association of Social Workers
- Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) (Correct answer)
- American Geriatrics Society
- National Council on Aging
Correct answer: Aging Life Care Association (ALCA)
The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) is the professional organization for Aging Life Care Professionals who provide comprehensive care management for older adults.
Question 6: In the context of resource referral, 'warm handoff' refers to:
- Providing a printed list of agency phone numbers
- Directly connecting the client to the receiving agency through a three-way call or personal introduction (Correct answer)
- Emailing a referral form without client involvement
- Following up one month after giving a referral list
Correct answer: Directly connecting the client to the receiving agency through a three-way call or personal introduction
A warm handoff involves the senior advisor actively connecting the client in real time to the receiving resource, greatly increasing the likelihood the client completes the referral.
Question 7: Under the Older Americans Act, which entity serves as the local planning and coordination body for aging services within a specific geographic area?
- State Unit on Aging
- Area Agency on Aging (AAA) (Correct answer)
- Senior Community Service Employment Program
- National Institute on Aging
Correct answer: Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are the local planning and service coordination entities designated by State Units on Aging to develop and fund community-based services.
CSA Resource and Referral Networks 4
A senior client receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and needs food assistance.
The most direct referral for ongoing food support is: