Too often we hear about how the aging of the U.S. workforce is going to mean shortages of workers. That may indeed be true. But there is more to it than that.

With an aging workforce comes an increase of workers who’s bodies are also aging. That means more cases of employees with a host of ailments. And expect chronic ailments to be at the top of the list, everything from arthritis to diabetes. I address this issue in my MSNBC column tomorrow.

It seems obvious. The older the workforce the more illnesses we’ll be seeing. Once upon a time, someone with cancer may have checked out of the daily grind but today, thanks to a host of drugs, people keep on working and living their lives. Elizabeth Edwards is a prime example.

I like the idea that people can continue with their lives even though they face what was once a totally debilitating disease. But I’m uncomfortable with the notion that we should just keep chugging along no matter how our bodies are battered. We need to be mindful that maybe we can’t be exactly as we were before and pull back a bit. There is nothing wrong with changing your career to accommodate your illness. You might end up finding something that makes you even happier.

What do you all think? Have you gone through this or know someone who has?