When I founded Verbatim Financial five years ago, I envisioned working primarily with mid-career professionals—helping them navigate big financial decisions, optimize their investments, and plan for the future, and I do plenty of that. But as my practice grew, I discovered something unexpected: many of the people who benefited most from my guidance were retirees.
Working with retired clients has been incredibly fulfilling. The financial decisions they face—whether it’s structuring retirement income, managing healthcare costs, navigating Social Security, or planning their legacy—are complex and deeply personal. I wanted to expand my understanding of these challenges, so I made the decision to continue my education.
I’m excited to share that I’ve earned the Elder Planning Specialist (EPS) certificate, a designation that equips financial professionals with the knowledge to better serve the unique needs of aging clients. This program provided insights into the financial, emotional, and healthcare-related concerns that retirees and their families encounter, reinforcing my ability to offer tailored solutions.
The EPS program covers a wide range of topics essential for effective elder planning:
Understanding the Aging Process and the Caregiver's Role: Gaining insights into the complexities of aging and the vital role caregivers play.
Diversity and Aging: Exploring how diverse backgrounds influence the aging experience.
Legal Issues of Aging: Navigating the legal considerations pertinent to older adults.
Planning for Extended or Long-term Care: Developing strategies to manage long-term care needs.
Social Security and Medicare Planning: Maximizing benefits and understanding the intricacies of these programs.
End-of-Life Planning and Ethical Wills: Facilitating discussions around end-of-life decisions and legacy planning.
Diminished Capacity and Elder Abuse: Identifying and addressing issues related to cognitive decline and protecting vulnerable clients.
Conducting Family Meetings: Effectively managing family dynamics in financial discussions.
This program has not only expanded my knowledge but also reinforced my commitment to providing comprehensive, empathetic, and informed guidance to clients at all life stages. Whether you're approaching retirement, already retired, or assisting an aging family member, I am equipped to help you navigate the financial complexities that come with aging. It's also just one step in my commitment to lifelong learning, to provide clear, honest, and thoughtful financial guidance.
I look forward to using this expertise to continue serving my clients with even greater depth and care. If you or someone you know could benefit from personalized financial planning with an understanding of elder-specific needs, I’d love to help.
Here’s to planning smarter—at every stage of life.