No, Aging Is Not a Disease

I can’t believe I have to say this: Aging is not a disease.

You might have seen the same Wall Street Journal story that I did earlier this year, raising the question in its headline: “The Scientific Fight Over Whether Aging Is a Disease.”

Initially, I was appalled — anyone who considers aging a disease is stigmatizing a huge population group.

But it’s worse than that. I can’t help but wonder if some are seeking this classification for the sake of drug companies and others who want to promote the latest version of the “Fountain of Youth.” It’s an awful idea.

Chasing youth is practically our national pastime. But in the age of longevity, what many miss is the fact that a large percentage of older adults, especially Boomers and Gen-Xers, aren’t looking for magic potions, and we know we’re not going to feel like we’re 25 again. We have to be both honest and realistic about what I describe as the aches, pains and inconveniences that accompany our advancing years.

To get the most out of our later years, we focus on the advantages that come with being older, from the wisdom to make better choices to a fundamental happiness that is hard to come by earlier in life.

There’s real value in the experience, maturity and perspective of older adults. As a society, we risk losing it if we see everyone past a certain age as carrying the “disease” of aging. We’ll end up in a place where:

👉 Ageist stereotypes grow stronger as getting older is viewed as something bad and to be avoided.

👉 Those who have “succumbed to the disease of aging” are viewed as net takers in society.

👉 We’ll view the coming surge in the number of older adults as a disaster, instead of an opportunity to leverage added longevity for the benefit of all society.

Sadly, the labeling of aging as a disease seems likely to enable “get-young-quick” schemes that will prey on vulnerable older adults, while lining the pockets of people who are promoting their drug, their food, or their program as the key to eternal youth.

In the end, classifying aging as a disease might help these long-life enthusiasts — but it will do precious little for older Americans.

Illustration courtesy Wall Street Journal