One of the common framings of systemic ableism is conflating age with disability. Because statistically...those who've survived to a ripe old age become disabled or more disabled. Some disabilities are age-related...but not all old people get them.
It's important to make the distinction because young disabled people are constantly questioned - as if they're trying to get a "free ride" (as if the ableist system provides those).
But because formerly abled people are likely to become disabled if they live long enough, it's important to them that older disability be approved. Thus disabled (young) people are "cheaters" but the aged are to be empathized with.
This preface is needed because this story repeatedly conflates age with disability, even though it's reporting on a good podcast.
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/07/nx-s1-5766358/dementia-college-podcast-aging-family #Ableism #Dementia
