President Joe Biden’s recent debate performance has sparked a national conversation about aging and the challenges faced by older Americans. The debate highlighted the struggles that many elderly individuals experience, such as delayed response times, difficulty finding words, and confusion. These symptoms are common in the geriatric population and can be exacerbated by factors like lack of sleep and illness.
For many Americans, watching Biden on stage was a painful reminder of their own aging relatives’ struggles.
I'm not letting one 90-minute debate wipe out three and a half years of work.
I'm staying in the race, and I will beat Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/5VZHf4N4xj
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 5, 2024
Jean Moelter, a retired high school English teacher from Wisconsin, described the experience as “painful and sad.” Deborah Fries, a retired public information officer from Philadelphia, found it triggering, reminding her of her father’s decline in his 70s. The debate has also raised questions about the ability of older candidates to manage the responsibilities of the presidency effectively.
Q: Who do you think was more truthful at the debate?
Undecided Georgia voters: Biden was more truthful. Trump said over 30 lies
Q: Who do you trust more to run this country?
Voters: Of course, it would be Biden. There was a lack of care for the American people from Trump. I… pic.twitter.com/pd6mlTQFA5
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) July 7, 2024
While concerns about cognitive decline affecting decision-making, memory, and stress-handling are not unfounded, age also brings valuable experience and wisdom. The Biden White House has been working to manage the fallout from the debate. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reassured the public that Biden undergoes regular medical examinations.
Managing debate fallout
Biden himself attributed his performance to exhaustion, noting that he wasn’t feeling well during the debate.
Statement from President Biden on Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda pic.twitter.com/4wtIJRdiDY
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) July 6, 2024
Despite these challenges, Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz emphasized that the president is advancing his vision for the country and presenting a stark contrast to his opponent, Donald Trump.
As a geriatrician, Dr. Rachael Bedard believes that the country is not engaging in a complete or accurate discussion about age-related decline. She emphasizes the importance of understanding clinical frailty, a concept that describes how older adults may struggle to recover from setbacks without long-term consequences.
The debate has highlighted the need for a more nuanced understanding of aging and the challenges faced by older Americans. It has also underscored the resilience and determination that older adults exhibit, traits that President Biden has demonstrated throughout his career. As the nation grapples with the implications of an aging population, it is crucial to approach the conversation with empathy and understanding.
While debates will always have some element of disagreement, a discussion about aging need not divide us. Instead, it is an opportunity to reflect deeply and show compassion for our elderly while acknowledging the value of experience and wisdom in leadership.
