A newly created designation, offered nationally, was conferred on Jacqueline Figas of Mississauga after successfully completing an intense and rigorous test of knowledge regarding current seniors issues. The "Canadian Initiative for Elder Studies" (CIEPS) course has been created to establish a standard of service to seniors for all professionals and business people in providing seniors with high quality services and products that best suit their lives and circumstances. The "Elder Planning Counselor" (EPC) designation will immediately help seniors identify the business people and professionals who have a special interest and proficiency with them and their needs.

"Studies show that seniors want advisors who understand their life issues, alternatives and concerns, who respect their circumstances and experiences and can accommodate their physical and health needs. The EPC is the first Canadian professional development standard for elder education," says Thomas Miller, President of CIEPS.

Achieving this designation is a distinguished career milestone, attained only by those who have demonstrated proficiency in all relevant programs about seniors issues, including aging, health issues, financial planning considerations and long term care as well as end of life issues. This makes the "EPC" a new and valued counselor to seniors, regardless of the service or product they provide.

Jacqueline, a 28-year resident of Mississauga, and author of the book, "Evaluating Long Term Care Insurance", points out that by 2011, over 20% of Canada's population will be age 60 or older according to Statistics Canada. "With 600 Canadians turning 65 each day, service providers and businesses in our community need to interact more effectively with seniors and offer services more pertinent to their needs. Health care is a major issue for today's elders as well as aging baby boomers. Becoming an EPC (Elder Planning Counsellor) supports my goal of specializing in health care, critical illness, and long term care insurance programs for people over 50".

Jacqueline is a benefits advisor with the Health Assured Financial Group in Mississauga.

The "Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies" is an educational program designed by Pro-Seminars International, a Canadian leader in continuing education programs for financial advisors.