I'm not sure this is really a refutation. There's something interesting in the idea that evolution has decided the old need to leave to make room for the new to

I'm not sure this is really a refutation. There's something interesting in the idea that evolution has decided the old need to leave to make room for the new to prosper. Evolution acts on populations, not just individuals. Helping closely related individuals in the next generation survive is advantageous, and if that help is by being removed, then it could be programmed. Even frailty and decreased brain function might be programmed if it means that other individuals take over related tasks to gain experience.