I don't think anyone would begrudge a 78 year old taking steps to improve their health.

What people do begrudge is them then racing while taking substances that give them an unfair advantage over others in their age group. Furthermore, you use the emotive story of a 78 year old, but what when it's a 28 year old who is taking it for health reasons but also competing for a Kona spot?

By all means act to improve your health, but don't compete. It's also worth noting that retroactive TUEs exist.