Aging Is Not An Illness

As if spoken from the heart of the hospital director addressing the elderly and their families directly:

In a Beijing Hospital.

As the director of a hospital in Beijing, I often see elderly patients and their families deeply anxious over normal signs of ageing, mistaking them for illness. So I always share these five thoughts—simple, heartfelt truths—to offer clarity and comfort:

I am aging, of course!

1. I am not sick, I am old.

Many so-called “diseases” I experience are not actual illnesses. They are the body’s natural way of telling me I am ageing. That doesn’t mean I am broken. It simply means I am moving into a new phase of life. This awareness helps me find peace instead of panic.

2. My forgetfulness is not dementia.

When I misplace my keys or forget a name, I don’t immediately assume I have Alzheimer’s. This kind of forgetfulness is my brain’s way of protecting itself as I age—it’s not a disease. As long as I still remember what I forgot and can retrace my steps, I know it’s normal. My brain is just getting older, not failing.

3. When I walk slowly or feel unsteady, it’s not paralysis.

It’s muscle degeneration—a common part of getting older. I don’t rush for medication. I know what I need is movement. A simple walk, some light stretches, and gentle activity keep my muscles from weakening further. Motion is my medicine.

4. My sleeplessness is not insomnia.

If I find myself sleeping lightly or waking up early, it’s because my sleep pattern has changed. That doesn’t mean I need sleeping pills. My brain is simply adjusting its rhythm. I choose sunshine during the day, a consistent schedule, and peaceful habits before bed—these are my best sleeping pills.

5. When my body aches, it’s not always rheumatism.

Aches and pains are often not from disease, but from how my nerves age. As nerves become less efficient, they can exaggerate pain. I don’t need painkillers as much as I need warmth, movement, and care. A warm foot bath, a hot compress, or a light massage at night comforts me far more than a tablet.

6. When my test reports show “abnormal” values, I don’t panic.

Those numbers don’t always apply to me. Medical standards are often made for younger people, and as I age, my “normal” shifts. Slightly higher cholesterol or blood pressure is not dangerous—in fact, some studies show it may be protective. I trust my doctor, yes, but I also trust my common sense and my lived experience.

To my fellow elders, I remind you gently:

Not every discomfort is a disease.

Don’t be afraid of your body’s changes.

Don’t be frightened by numbers on a report or drug commercials that prey on our fear.

To our children and families, I say this with love:

The best thing you can do for us is not to rush us to the hospital every time something feels different. The best medicine is your company—take us on walks, let us soak up the sun, share meals, talk, laugh. That is what truly nourishes us.

Growing old is not a failure of the body—it’s a natural journey.

Let us honour that, not fear it.

— With care and experience, from someone who walks beside the ageing every day