"Of course, it’s not easy to move into the aging stage with grace and a sense of appropriateness in a culture that does not value that metamorphosis or provide a respected role for its elders."

I'd say that the many elders sitting on the boards of institutions and corporations have a respected role in this country. How about all of the elders in the government? People that govern the country club are usually older too. Most of them got those respected roles because they worked hard for them. The culture ain't going to provide shit.

I'm older, but I'm exactly the same person I've always been, just scarred, slower, and without as many teeth. If I want to impart wisdom I get together with my children. They have to listen to me.