Everything about the 2024 election adds to my awareness of being old. The focus on the ages of both Biden and Trump and their cognitive status was just the beginning. Awareness of the gap between my world and that in which my grandchildren live is another.

Both Candidates are too old

The discussion of Biden’s debate performance put the spotlight on aging concerns well known to we elders.  Years of school, careers, and reading have provided us with great vocabularies and lots of facts. We readily are able to use that stored ”crystallized” knowledge to compensate for memory issues, quickly locating another word or fact to substitute for a forgotten one. Processing speed and other “fluid” cognitive skills, however, began their decline at the age of 20 or 30.   “Multiple cross-sectional studies have shown that there is an improvement in crystallized abilities until approximately age 60 followed by a plateau until age 80 and there is steady decline in fluid abilities from age 20 to age 80”. The steady decline in sensory functioning adds to the perception of cognitive decline as well. Most of us in our 80s have some hearing loss, for example, which interferes with responsiveness, understanding, and engagement.

In our senior community, memory and sensory issues are commonplace. We have a sense of inevitability about memory loss and the assumption that we will all experience it as we age. Thankfully, not all of us will progress to dementia. Good sleep, sound diet and exercise may contribute to delaying dementia, and senior communities inspire these good habits. Nonetheless,  signs of dementia do appear in some of us:  periodic “brain fog” episodes, sunsetting (we do our word games in the morning), and difficulty in decision making. Ultimately, those entering dementia are readily recognizable for their repetitive questions (“Would you like more coffee?” Where are we going next?”) and the inability to find their way home. Amazingly, singing or piano playing and even card games may continue, as these procedures are deeply imbedded.

But back to Biden: residents in our community see his cognitive decline and recognize it as something which will not reverse. It may progress. We see in his and his wife’s response a dangerous denial, which could minimize the adaptations which would help him live life fully. We see the real risk of encroaching dementia. We wish that he would step down. His age IS a factor; his decline is evident; it will be difficult for us seniors who admire him to vote for him. I do plan to vote; it is my civic responsibility….but I empathize with those who will want to stay home.

Regarding Trump: it doesn’t seem likely that his grandiose ramblings are simple cognitive decline. His behavior seems more similar to the denial experienced by powerful men who must retire…they will do anything for a crowd, believe they can solve every problem, and deny their limitations. Heaven forbid that power is restored to their waiting hands. Whatever his psychological or cognitive diagnosis,  he is not cognitively competent to lead our country.

Too old to Understand Younger Concerns

Among those American citizens who may stay home rather than to vote for either old man in this election are the young. My granddaughter, in a recent lovely visit, shared that her age-mates are being encouraged to vote for RFK, Jr. Much money is being spent on internet advertising for him. History may tell us that a third-party candidate has virtually no ability to win and can only serve to spoil it for one of the leading candidates, i.e., the votes for RFK, Jr are really just protest votes.

How could our country allow our election process to ignore age and mental acuity in its selection of presidential nominees? How did we so casually ignore the potential and concerns of our youngest voters? They are ready and anxious to lead, but we elders don’t even know their heroes. I am still learning about influencers and content designers and Instagram, and certainly have no sense of what is being said by people whose names I don’t even recognize. (Did you know anything about Amber Rose before her presentation at the opening day of the Republican National Convention?) Congratulations to the RNC for featuring her. For me and my age-mates, Amber Rose and RFK, Jr are reminders of how little we know of the concerns of the young.

 It is too late for me to truly understand and hear about Amber’s world. I can be grateful that my granddaughter pulled the curtain to give me some insight and that she is willing to listen to my ancient preferences. The election reminds me of how old I have become.

I will vote, of course, but with sorrow. Neither party’s nominee gives me confidence about America’s future challenge. My experience tells me that restoring power to one so loath to give it up is bad for our country. And yet, my experience also tells me that cognitive decline is real, largely irreversible and will surely lead to a need for messy transition in leadership before too long. It is time for the young to be heard more fully, and time for we elders to share the realities of aging.