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This delivery method allows the student to attend the 3.5 day structured “live” class preparation for the EPC Qualification that is administered on the morning of the last day. Pre study is required. This method utilizes a 4 Module Desk Reference covering the following curriculum:
Module 1 – Aging & Health Issues Chapter
1 – Situation Critical – Our Population is Aging! This chapter focuses on
our changing society. In order to do this, it is necessary to review
demographics and other significant factors that have contributed
directly to The EPC will learn about
elders in respect of their needs, wants, and concerns. This newly
acquired
knowledge will assist the professional in planning for the future. The EPC will be required
to understand life cycle changes and various factors and situations
that an
elder experiences while going through life.
The EPC
will study how such factors as age, gender, race, and ethnic background
greatly
influence elder behaviours and attitudes when interacting with
professionals.
Chapter
2 – Principles, Progressions & the Effects of Aging
The
main goal for
the EPC is to become acquainted with the physical, social, and
psychological
aspects of aging, along with any challenges that are created by
age-related
changes in the human body. By
understanding
the age-related and non-age-related changes and challenges, an EPC is
better
qualified to professionally serve the elder client or prospect. By
working
together with the elder, their best needs are met when determining
which plan
to follow.
Chapter
3 – Understanding Chronic Conditions The
EPC will
witness the full implications that chronic conditions will have on the
elder
and their families. They will also study how severe illnesses can alter
the
elder’s lifestyle and their ability to maintain a fully self-sufficient
life. In
addition, the
EPC should be familiar with the members of the elder’s health care
team, and,
in addition, what each of those individual’s responsibilities are.
Although
this chapter uses many medical terms and situations, it is not
necessary for
the EPC to have the same knowledge as a medical doctor. Remember that
one not
in the medical profession, should not suggest any medical advice to a
client or
prospect. Knowing
the
symptoms and having the awareness of some of the medical conditions and
ailments that take their toll on our aging society could greatly
enhance the
way in which the EPC interacts and carries on business with an elder. Chapter 4 – Dementia
& Our Aging Society The EPC will be in a
better position to understand and recognize the various kinds of
dementia,
especially Alzheimer Disease (AD). As there are many implications of
dementia,
the student should know how it pertains to their work with elders and
their
families. When the EPC student
concludes this chapter, they will be able to define dementia, explain
some of
the causes of dementia, and describe some of the different types of
dementia.
They will have acquired knowledge about Alzheimer Disease. They will
also be
versed in the planning and management of dementia and be comfortable
dealing
with the various caregiving issues surrounding it. Chapter
5 – Nutrition and Fitness Upon
completion of this chapter, the EPC will be more familiar with
nutrition, healthful lifestyle, and longevity in relation to elders.
Factors
that contribute to an unhealthy life and shorter lifespan will also be
discussed to further explain, and emphasize, the importance of health
as we
age. The EPC
will gain insight into the overall process of aging by
considering the human body and the elements that affect it over time.
Having a
foundation of information with which to assess an elder’s health
profile, the
EPC will be able to recognize areas requiring attention and suggest
possible
lifestyle changes in relation to nutrition and fitness. With
awareness to the fact that a healthful lifestyle can both prevent
and improve the impact of age-related conditions, the EPC will be in a
position
to help themselves, and others, to live better. Understanding the role
nutrition and fitness play in preventing such conditions as Alzheimer
disease,
osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and others, is the key in making
life-changing choices for health.
Students will cover aging theories, anti-aging strategies, nutrition, digestion, causes of poor nutrition, elder nutritional requirements, how to determine elder health, supplements, diet and disease, exercise, and fitness. Module 2 Social & Psychological Issues Chapter 1 – Long
Term Care Issues It is common knowledge that
taking care of
one’s self financially for long term care in the future is a major
issue. Our
aging elders are no different in this regard. Course attendees will be
in a
better position to provide advice to the elders they interact with when
dealing
with the various risks that are, and will be, associated with their
change in
independent status. The areas that the EPC will study are:
Chapter
2 – Housing Options
The EPC will be in a
better position to describe the many housing options that are available
for the
elder. The EPC, when faced with helping the elder, can help recommend
the
proper alternative based on the elder’s needs and wants.
The EPC should become
familiar with the fact that as people age, their health begins to
deteriorate.
When this happens, the need to find suitable housing or living
arrangements becomes
evident. Either making changes to their existing home or looking for a
new
dwelling could fill this need. A nursing home could also be the
solution. The
EPC will learn what to look for when the elder or their family chooses
an
assisted living or nursing home. This chapter will walk
the EPC through the various stages of why elders want to stay in their
own
homes. The decision to relocate can be a traumatic one, increasing the
need for
support from many different areas. The EPC will look at the various types of housing arrangements available to the elder today. Some different types of government assistance programs will be discussed to offer alternatives to the funding process. Chapter
3– Caregiving in Canada All
EPC’s should
become familiar with the many types of caregiving resources available.
They
should understand many of the hurdles that our elders face, as informal
caregivers meet their continuing need for assistance from many avenues.
The
students will
look at and review the many issues surrounding caregiving. Some of the
topics
covered will deal with what is required to be a caregiver, how to be a
good
caregiver, and what the difficulties and demands of caregiving really
entail.
The many phases and duties of providing care to a recipient will be
addressed.
Caregiving stress and elder abuse issues will be discussed in detail.
With any
position, one must be aware of the satisfaction that comes with knowing
that
the job was done right. To this extent, the EPC will also become aware
of the
rewards that accompany caregiving. Chapter
4 – End-Of-Life Planning Issues As
professionals,
EPC’s should become familiar with the major issues that a critically
ill elder
is facing. It is not necessary to be fully conversant with these
issues, but
rather to know where to refer the elder and their family for any
further legal
information pertaining to their choice or choices. If the elder cannot
speak
for himself, then who will look after his desires? Will it be the EPC?
Will it
be the elder’s family?
The EPC will look at healthcare and family issues as people near death. They will look at the quality of life that can lead the elder and their families to make crucial decisions. Hospice and palliative care play an important role in the aging process. As such, you will be required to know the basic information about each and how they can enhance an elder’s final time on this earth. The EPC will look at the planning issues beyond the legal and medical procedures in order to meet their elder client’s needs and wishes. Chapter
5 – Funeral Planning The
EPC will
become familiar with the various options when advising elder clients
about
funeral home choices. The main point in this chapter is to know where
to go
when it comes time to plan for the final journey. Upon
completion of
this chapter, the EPC will be in a position to provide an overview in
regards
to the offerings that a funeral home can provide to the individual,
either
before or after death. The EPC will also know what type of assistance
is
available to assist the elderly when the time comes to look at planning
a
funeral. Chapter
6 – Bereavement – Grief and the Healing Process
People
all
experience and deal with changes and losses in their lives every day.
This is a
natural part of being. As you get older, the chances of losing
things in
your life are very real. The EPC will study and learn how to help
elders who
are going through various stages of the grieving process
because of the aging
process, and the fact that someday everyone must experience grief. This
chapter will
prepare the EPC for dealing with loss and grief with the elder and
their
family. All the variables will be studied with the intent of providing
an
overview on how to adjust for the healing process. The
EPC will learn
about the experience of loss. They will look at the total grieving
process and
study the five stages that humans go through after a loss has occurred.
As
the EPC finds
their way through this chapter on grief experiences, they will discover
that
there is no right or wrong way to do the work of mourning. There is
only the individual’s
way, and they must discover it for themselves. There is no magic
formula, no
short cut, and no easy way out. Grief is as if the person is inside a
long,
winding tunnel whose entrance is closed behind them, and the only way
out is to
head through it and out the other side.
A
thorough study
of this chapter will better enable the EPC to provide effective
interaction
with their grieving elder clients and families.
“Grief
will make a
new person out of you, if it doesn't kill you in the making." Module 3 – Financial Issues Chapter
1 – Social Security & Medicare Programs The
EPC will have
a better understanding of the social security benefits and programs
that are
available for It
is important to
remember that elders may not be eligible for all benefits. As an EPC,
you
should always recommend consulting with the proper provincial
government
departments that oversees the eligibility of receiving any additional
benefits. After completing this chapter, the EPC will have acquired the knowledge to best describe how government benefits and programs can enhance an elder’s lifestyle. In many cases, these benefits have to be requested through an application process. This is another area where the EPC can bring additional value when dealing with our aging society. Upon completing this
chapter, the EPC will have a better understanding of the Canadian
Health Care
System that will assist them in explaining the role that Federal and
Provincial
Medicare has in providing health insurance coverage for the future
Canadian
aging society
The EPC
will acquire knowledge through studying Medicare from its
beginnings to where it has evolved in today’s society. The
responsibilities for
each level of government will be looked at and discussed through the
study
process. The student will look at how
Medicare is funded, what the eligibility criterion is, and what
benefits an
elder will receive when qualified. Chapter 2 Financial Planning Basics There
are many
challenges for elders who are facing their retirement years. Some have
planned,
and some have not. The purpose of this chapter is to show the EPC in
general
terms how to develop the various strategies that can help their clients
come to
terms with their financial position and needs. The
EPC will look
at the various stages of financial planning, taking into consideration
the
elder’s objectives while looking at the challenges and many stages that
elders
will have already experienced prior and throughout their retirement.
Professionals from many occupations realize that the key to financial
independence can be found in the type of planning and investments the
elder
should have already made.
At
the same time,
many risk factors should be considered. The role of the financial
planner, as
well as the steps to financial freedom will be investigated. It is
hoped, that
by now the elder has completed many of the prerequisites in order to
have a
healthy and wealthy retirement.
Chapter
3 – Retirement Income Basics The main focus of this chapter is for the EPC and the elder to recognize that planning in the early years allows for a comfortable retirement. Assuming that this has been done, when it comes time to enter the ‘twilight’ period there will be an income available for the elder to maintain the lifestyle that they were accustomed to. The EPC will look at some investment vehicles and retirement choices that the elder could use to provide an ongoing income for the retirement years. Chapter 4 – Legacy
Planning A
key principle in
legacy planning is that you cannot
eliminate the big mistakes in an estate plan until you have identified
them.
Every elder should stage a financial fire drill with the assistance of
the
Elder Planning Counselor community. The same caution should be
exercises with
estate planning as with financial planning—if you are not a financial
services
professional, work with someone who is, or stay away from this area
completely. This
chapter will
investigate the process of planning the accumulation, conservation, and
distribution of an estate in the manner that most efficiently and
effectively
accomplishes the elder’s personal tax and non-tax objectives. Upon
completing
this chapter, the EPC will acquire the ability to gather accurate,
comprehensive, and useful information that is efficiently developed
using a
data gathering system. The
EPC will study
the major areas of estate planning such as: lack of liquidity, improper
disposition of assets, inflation, inadequate income, or capital at
retirement /
death / disability, stabilization and maximization of the value of
assets,
excessive transfer costs, and special problems. Chapter
5 – Travelling or Moving Abroad
Canadians
comprise a mobile society. They look for travel experiences;
adventure, warmer climates, employment opportunities and a sunny
retirement in
areas they perceive have a lower cost of living. Some decide to move
out of the
country to avoid, or at least reduce, the amount of income taxes they
pay.
Others find out that they have become residents of another country by
accident,
facing substantial tax costs.
Many
Canadian elders spend time out of the country, particularly in the In
either case, their time spent in the USA may cause them to be deemed
as residents of the U.S. for income taxes, estate taxes, or both.
Conversely,
they may no longer be deemed to be residents of Many
advisors working with elders do not ask or adequately consider the
impact on plans, programs, and lifestyles for elders retiring or
spending
retirement time in the Though
Canadians may spend a lot of retirement time in other countries,
this chapter will focus on some of the major topics as they relate to
time
spent in the Chapter
6– Income Tax Planning
The
objective for
the EPC in personal income tax planning is to minimize or defer income
taxes
payable for the elder. This requires a general understanding of The
EPC will be in
a position to recommend various tax saving strategies that will keep
the
elder’s goals front and center, thereby maximizing any spendable income.
Again
for this
chapter, caution should be exercised. If you are not in a profession
that will
allow you to provide complete and accurate tax information, please let
the
experts handle it.
Upon
completion of
this segment, the EPC will be able to understand which income sources
constitute earned income, and which ones do not. You will study tax
deductions
and tax credits, and how they will affect your clients’ and prospects’
net
income.
This
chapter will
look at how indexing can affect an individual’s tax situation. You will
be able
to tell the difference between being an employee of a company, and
being
self-employed. The
complex
taxation of Life Insurance will be studied in a way that makes it
simple to
understand. You
will have a
working knowledge of Capital Gains, Capital Losses, Deductions, Credits
and
other various different terminologies pertaining to taxation. MODULE 4 - Communication and Other Timely Issues Chapter
1 – Social Aspects of Aging The EPC will learn and
describe how the various age cohorts will play a major part in the
future
shaping of Canada’s aging population, by affecting the social and
economic
experiences of the elder that will shape how Canada ages. The EPC will work more
effectively with their elder clients and prospects by using the
knowledge that
they have acquired in their study of Gerontology, Aging Theories,
Family
Structures, Changes and Losses in Later Life, and Future Challenges. Chapter 2 – Communicating with the 50+ Ages The principles of effective communication apply to all ages. However, the way that we think and process information changes as we mature. To reach the elder listener with a message that will resonate, it is important to understand four key elements that the communicator must possess in order to ensure that the listener understands the message:
This
chapter will
provide you with an outline of the skills to allow you to become an
effective
communicator with elders.
A
common trait
among successful people is their ability to be an effective
communicator. This
is no different when dealing with the elder population.
The EPC will cover topics such as stressing communication skills and how to listen and respond to the needs of elders with verbal, technological, and print mediums. Chapter
3 – Marketing to Elders The
EPC will learn
why the elder market will be ‘the market’ of the future to work in,
regardless
of what services or products they offer. When they begin to work in
this
market, only then will they experience growth in this segment of their
client
base.
Factors
such as
demographics and future trends will be looked at in detail, in terms
that the
EPC can understand and appreciate. This chapter will challenge the EPC
to look
at their own business structure and see if it will meet the future
needs of the
elder generations. Various methods of distribution such as direct mail,
referrals and the Internet will be studied with the intent of future
utilization in dealing with this increasing segment of the population. The participant will also be introduced to the art of seminar selling in order to generate many results and cut back on the number of one-on-one interviews that otherwise would be required to close the same amount of sales. Chapter 4 – Elder
Fraud, Abuse and Ethics The goal is to provide
the EPC with some basic information on how some individuals and
companies take
advantage of the elderly. Some alternatives on how to avoid fraud are
suggested, although the best form of defence is – “If it sounds too
good to
be true, then it probably is!” The EPC will look at some common frauds that are committed against the elderly. As an EPC, it is not your duty to protect or save all the elders in the world from fraud. However, it should be considered part of the service that an EPC offers, to provide the awareness that fraud exists and some ways of avoiding it. In order
for the EPC to be ethical when interacting with elders, they
first need an understanding of what ethics are, and what they stand
for. A
working knowledge of how to create successful business practices that
utilize
ethics along with the EPC Code of Conduct will help the participant to
properly
look after and serve the elder’s needs.
The EPC
will study ethical issues that affect elders. Topics such as
ethics, ethical theories, principles, concepts, and business ethics
will be
looked at in detail. The EPC will also become familiar with the EPC
Code of
Conduct and that for which it stands. Chapter 5 –
Putting It All Into Perspective! The
Canadian
Initiative for Elder Planning Studies (CIEPS) has endeavored to provide
you,
the student with some knowledge that will not only provide some
invaluable
insight into the elder population, but also enhance your relationship
within
your community and the people with whom you do business.
The
time that you
have spent to achieve your Elder Planning Counselor designation will
ultimately
be part of your value-added proposition that you can pass on to the
elders that
you interact with. This
designation
is about people helping people. It is about helping you to proactively
position
your practices or businesses to make them even more ‘elder friendly.’
The EPC
designation program that you have just completed has used some
traditional
approaches and strategies as we studied in our aging society, and the
impact
that it will have on our futures.
Even
with this
said you have just begun an ongoing process—one that will require you
to keep
on top of changing times and future visions.
Elders
have a
completely different set of issues, concerns, and values that need to
be
understood and appreciated as a total package. Any concerns can be
solved
appropriately if they are effectively addressed.
Our elder citizens or elders are an invaluable
source of experience and knowledge for younger generations. They are
the heart
of the family and the foundation of your communities.
Who should use this method of study? – The “live” classroom format would appeal to any and all professions who interact with our aging society, now or in the future. Some of these are Financial Advisors, Healthcare workers, Lawyers, Accountants, Retirement / Nursing Homes and Funeral Directors etc. “Live” Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) Exam Preparation 1-day module classes This delivery method allows the student to achieve their EPC Designation by attending one day at a time until all four modules are completed. Module 1 MUST be completed first and 2 & 3 can be completed in any order BUT Module 4 MUST be completed last.
At the end
of Module 1, 2, 3, 4 the student can choose to write an in class
examination / test. Upon successful completion, they will
receive a certificate/diploma from CIEPS acknowledging the
completion of that Module. Student Tuition - The cost of tuition to the student for attending the one day is $297 plus TAX. Upon successful completion of the EPC Qualification Examination, the first year’s EPC Membership Dues (currently $150 + TAX) are waived with the cost of tuition. Who should use this method of study? - This type of delivery would be directed towards Healthcare professionals, Lawyers, Real Estate or Accounting professions for example, who cannot take 3.5 days out of their busy schedules to achieve their EPC Designation at once.
This web site Copyright © 2013 Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies Inc.
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