Why We Avoid Planning for Aging—and How to Take the First Step

Why We Avoid Planning for Aging—and How to Take the First Step

From Living to 100 Club by Joseph M. Casciani, PhD

May 4, 2026 · 36 min

About this episode

Nancy Cogar discusses the importance of planning for aging and offers strategies to overcome avoidance.

Planning for later life often begins later than we expect. Many families find themselves making important decisions under pressure, rather than with clarity and intention. In this episode of the Living to 100 Club, Nancy Cogar shares practical strategies to help individuals and families think ahead—before a crisis occurs. Drawing on her legal expertise and experience, she outlines thoughtful approaches to planning, decision-making, and navigating the complexities that often come with aging. In this encore episode of the Living to 100 Club, Dr. Joseph Casciani welcomes back Nancy Cogar, author of Boomertime Blueprint, to explore why so many individuals and families delay planning for later life—and what it costs them when they do. Why is legal planning so important, and how do we get started? Nancy brings a thoughtful, advocacy-based perspective to aging, caregiving, and decision-making. Together, they discuss how to move from avoidance to action, with practical steps that can reduce stress, improve communication, and support better outcomes for everyone involved. This conversation is especially relevant for adults 55+ and for family members who may find themselves stepping into…

People in this episode

Host: Joseph M. Casciani, PhD

Guest: Nancy Cogar

Topics covered

  • aging
  • planning
  • decision-making
  • caregiving
  • stress reduction

Keywords

  • aging planning
  • decision-making
  • caregiving
  • stress
  • communication

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Boomertime Blueprint

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