A lot of this neurosis about age is related to Boomers not really being elders in the traditional sense, they are just old mfs. So folks don't see any social/cultural value in being old, it's just watching your friends die and your body hurts.
Every era of your life should have certain privileges, back in the day old folks had wisdom and led the rituals that initiated boys/girls into manhood/womanhood. You would have ceremonial titles/clothes that you only got access to at a certain age, same way you only get access to a car when you are 15 or 16 so you were excited to became a teen as a kid. Now being old you get SS and a "I luv you, grandma" card for your birthday.