Aging As A Diagnosis
Reclaiming language, responsibility and possibility in older adult movement.
Guest post by Lynn Jordan
Recently, a client of mine noticed a decline in balance and asked his doctor about it.
“This is common at your age,” is what his doctor told him.
My client took that to be the truth and the conversation was over.
The Problem with “Aging” as a Medical Explanation
Within the AGEnts of Movement community, this landed exactly as you might expect.
Because we know balance doesn’t deteriorate randomly. It shifts for often multiple, addressable reasons in people of all ages—vestibular dysfunction, neurological trauma, medication side effects, to name a few. The important thing is to actually assess what might be happening.
To call all of that simply “aging” is not only inaccurate—it’s dismissive.
As Jennifer Winters, RN, PhD, faculty for gerontological nursing put it:
“One of the first things I teach my class is that age is not a diagnosis…however it continues to happen all the time.”
When Language Becomes Limitation
When a doctor says, “You’re getting old,” what a patient often hears is: inevitable decline and nothing to be done. Instantly, possibility narrows.
Or, as Patricia Linderman, of Fierce after 45, said more bluntly:
“Age is not a disease.”
It’s a context, not a cause.
What the Field is Beginning to Recognize
This reflects a broader shift. In Ability, not Age: Ending Ageist Assumptions in Physical Activity Programming, we challenge designing and labeling programs based on age.
With more than 58 million adults over 65 in the U.S., generalizing based on age is, at best, inaccurate and at worst, a form of ageism. Age-based programs often fail to challenge participants, exclude those who could benefit, and reinforce stereotypes of fragility and decline.
As shown in Breaking the Age Code, positive age beliefs can add 7.5 years to someone’s life. What we assume becomes what we reinforce.
What We See in Practice
Master trainer Holly Benson observes:
“Some people move into later life like a well-maintained vintage car—strong, capable, responsive. This isn’t accidental. It’s the result of appropriate challenge, consistent engagement, skilled instruction.”
Labeling changes as “aging” removes agency from both practitioner and participant.
A More Accurate—and Empowering—Approach
Rather than defaulting to fixed answers, we can partner with practitioners to extend healthspan, support function, and maintain independence.
We can ask better questions, advocate for deeper investigation, and stay engaged in our own capacity-building.
Aging is not a diagnosis. Replacing “It’s just aging” with “What else might be going on?” is how we move toward a non-ageist society.
Movement professionals and practitioners—how are you challenging age-based assumptions in your work? Add your voice to the comments below.
Upcoming Online Events
Parkour Without Barriers: Teaching Scalable Movement Skills Beyond Age & Ability
Tuesday, April 21st 2pm PT/5pm ET
Five coaches will share how parkour-based movement skills can be safely and effectively tailored for aging bodies and varying ability levels.
Little Embarrassment. Big Gains. Cueing The Pelvic Floor in Physical Activity
Wednesday, May 20th 1pm PT/4pm ET
Learn how and why to include this muscle group in your programming, along with simple, embarrassment-minimizing ways to combine pelvic floor cueing with activities you’re already leading.
Expand Your Impact with the AGEnts of Movement Webinar Library
Looking for fresh ideas and deeper insight to support the people you serve? The AGEnts of Movement Webinar Library offers practical, thought-provoking sessions designed for movement leaders working with older adults.
Explore topics like:
Ballroom Basics for Balance
Psychology of chronic disease
How to coach falling safely
Reducing fall risk through game play
How to partner with Physical Therapists
Each webinar provides practical strategies and new perspectives you can immediately bring into your classes, programs, and communities.
Learn. Grow Lead movement experiences that matter.