Yes, it happens in lots of places and seems to start around the age of 55 when we are well away from pension age and are definitely middle aged, not old.
Around age 55 I was told by an NHS H.R. Manager that staff in their 50s were elderly. My response was that was incorrect as the NHS only put over 75s on Care of the Elderly wards.
Our Welfare State. Is it broken?
NHS U turn on trans terminology
Forgetting where you left your keys does not mean you are “losing it”