How does Maya Angelou explore feelings about getting older in 'On Aging'?

On Aging by Maya Angelou challenges the default sympathy we have towards elderly people, and instead reasserts the independence of older people, despite deteriorating physical health.
Angelou uses the simile 'like a sack upon a shelf' to highlight the perception of elderly people as stagnant, and lifeless. This is contrasted with the exclamative in 'Stop! Don't pity me! Hold! Stop your sympathy!', which shows heightened emotion as she defends her old age and rejects the feelings of sympathy.
Furthermore, Angelou asserts the independence of elderly people, despite their frail physicality; 'I will only ask one favour. Don't bring me no rocking chair.' This suggests that although older people may be deteriorating in physical health, they still have their pride and dignity, and therefore want no pity.
The poem ends with 'But ain't I lucky that I can still breathe in', which presents ageing as something not to be feared, but something to embrace. Despite poor physical health and being treated as a burden, elderly people are still thankful for life. Perhaps this is a message to the reader to feel grateful and content, no matter your age.