Balancing Independence and Safety While Planning for Aging Parents with Dr. Corinne Auman

About Dr. Corinne Auman: Dr. Corinne Auman is a recognized gerontologist with over 20 years of experience working directly with older adults and their families and is the author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story about Aging.

She is a Nationally Certified Guardian, Certified Senior Advisor, and an Advanced Professional member of the Aging LifeCare Association. She received her Ph.D. from NC State University, where she studied developmental psychology with a specialty in adulthood and aging.

Dr. Auman speaks to audiences about aging in America and the real-world impact of age bias.

As a gerontologist with a profound commitment to making a difference, Dr. Auman continues to champion the cause of older adults and their families. Her multifaceted approach, encompassing caregiving, education, activism, and authorship, positions her as a true advocate for a new narrative around aging.

In this episode, Brian and Dr. Corinne Auman discuss: 

• Caregiving challenges faced by families juggling multiple responsibilities
• Guidance and coordination provided by care managers in eldercare
• Conflicts between independence and safety during the aging process
• Planning ahead to prepare for future aging and caregiving needs

Key Takeaways:

• Families often avoid discussing or preparing for eldercare until a crisis forces them to act, which results in costly mistakes, stress, and lost opportunities for financial support that could have been available with proactive planning.
• A care manager can serve as a central coordinator—helping families understand their options, connect with resources such as VA benefits, and make informed decisions that can prevent financial and emotional exhaustion.
• Adult children frequently face painful choices where they must prioritize safety over their parents’ desire for independence, leading to guilt and conflict, yet care managers emphasize that cognitively intact elders still have the right to make risky decisions.
• Hiring a neutral third party to evaluate care situations can ease family tensions, provide objective reassurance abou