In a lot of cases healthcare resources are wasted on the elderly. In the USA at least it appears that most people reach old age in a world of pain caused by themselves and could be avoided. Poor diet, alcohol abuse, tobacco use, recreational drug use, lack of physical exercise over several decades causes many diseases. Such as obesity, liver disease, diabetes, heart and lung disease etc.
Of course there are those who do everything right and still get all sorts of diseases in their elder years. As well as those who do everything wrong and live healthy to over 100. Life is not fair.
Good health!